Show some respect: don't type near the mic

[johngregory]

Did someone actually approach him and respectfully ask if he could move? I read you got fed up and went to media relations, then had an experienced hand confront him. Did anyone one politely approach him and just ask?

I didn't go to media relations, that was someone else. Could someone have politely approached him? Probably, but being one of the younger reporters who doesn't know the guy on any level, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. Considering how he acted towards media relations, it wouldn't gone over well.

But yes, the other radio and TV people likely could have handled it differently.

If he was going out of his way to ruin your audio, he's an ass. But if he's doing the same thing every game, shouldn't it be up to you to find a solution that doesn't impede on him?

It's really a question of majority rules. As it was, his keyboard clicking was showing up on the audio for half-a-dozen radio stations, as well as local and national TV. The solution doesn't impede him from doing his job in the slightest, and solves our problem completely.

I can't imagine a reason that he HAD to be front-row center for these pressers. His justification seemed to be built on ego.

I'll ask again:

Can you clip a unidirectional mic on the coach's shirt? That worked magic for me with a major college football coach.

A good suggestion, but like another poster said, not possible with a pro coach.

 

[johngregory]

Here's an example of someone doing it while covering the Illini. I have no idea how reporters there handled it:

http://youtu.be/LOk_ZozsmpI?t=15s

 

[Captain Obvious]

Here's an example of someone doing it while covering the Illini. I have no idea how reporters there handled it:

http://youtu.be/LOk_ZozsmpI?t=15s

I have trouble hearing the player, and it's not because of the typing.

 

[mediaguy]

This is a bad thread. Perpetuates bad stereotypes, like how print guys type, and non-print guys complain.

 

[Rhody31]

Here's an example of someone doing it while covering the Illini. I have no idea how reporters there handled it:

http://youtu.be/LOk_ZozsmpI?t=15s

But in a press conference, how close to the mics is your guy?
I'm going off my experience. I sit front row and type and talk. I'm eight feet from the podium. The TV guys put their mics up on the podium and I've never heard anything close to as loud as that example. In fact, the mics only pick up the sound if there's a long pause.
I just find it hard to believe that a pro press conference room is set up tighter than the D-I school I covered.

 

[sportsed]

This doesn't necessarily apply in a news conference environment, but more so during phone interviews: I learned early on that media-savvy sources took note of when I was typing and when I wasn't, and that they'd suddenly change course to steer away from controversy when the clickety-clack of the keyboard started immediately after a juicy quote was uttered. To cure that, I'd have a notepad handy to jot down certain prime quotes.

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

1. Please, please, please, respect the fact that audio quality does matter to radio and TV reporters. That goes for a lot more than keyboard clicks.

Does doing your own reporting work matter to a radio or TV guy as well?

I've heard radio guys reading stories verbatim out of a newspaper. And they didn't even try to hide it. You could hear the newspaper rustling as they were reading it on the newscast. And no they didn't credit the paper either.

 

[beanpole]

If I'm the print guy, there's no way in heck that I move. These coaches are low talkers and I've gotta be as close as possible to make sure I get the quotes and do my job. And if any of these radio and TV types ever horned in when I was trying to get an exclusive quote, then I've got no qualms in telling them to pound sand.

 

[TopSpin]

Shorthand is a lost art. In the meantime, can't we all just get along?

 

[hate-d-mah-old-prepjob]

I wouldn't have moved. The TV and radio clowns (especially photogs and cameramen) who think it's social hour in the media room while others are trying to work don't shut the eff up. A little typing is far more tolerable than loud cell convos, giggling and other stupid random conversations held during the time that digital and print reporters are trying to transcribe/work.

 

[hate-d-mah-old-prepjob]

Lemme also add: "In Chicago..."

 

[Double J]

This is a bad thread. Perpetuates bad stereotypes, like how print guys type, and non-print guys complain.

I'm both. I type, and I complain. Sometimes it's the other way around.