Viewers Voice: Complaints about bin Laden coverage

We continue to get some thanks for our coverage of the severe weather this spring, including this note from Carl Belcher of Meadows of Dan, “Congratulations for standing firm last week on your decision to televise information about possible tornadoes instead of regular programming. Your motto "10 On Your Side" could not have been more meaningfully demonstrated."

Gypsy Shelton of Gladys said, “I would have been ashamed to sign my name or even complain. That was horrible to think that they would complain that they interrupted their viewing of another show. I mean that is ridiculous. That just makes me so angry."

While Savada Martin of Bedford added, “I think you covered the weather news greatly. //  so what you did was a very great job and we really respect what you're doing."

Judy Erskine of Lewisburg, WV said, “Thank God somebody has the courteous enough to keep the weather on and inform the people. I can't believe how many viewers said they didn't like it because you interrupted the program.  Maybe the next time if you don't do it, they'll get wiped out. I hope not but maybe they'll consider that."

And finally we heard this from a Giles County viewers: "I suppose rather than be warned of upcoming danger they would wish to continue to watch their shows with the dubbed in laughter tracks from their reclining chairs. Too bad for their lack of concern for themselves and others."

We heard from several viewers who weren't happy with our decision not to air an extended version of NBC Nightly News the day after the death of Osama bin Laden.

Bo Honeyicutt said, “I wish you all had had stuck with Brian Williams extended coverage on May 2nd. That was looking really promising. But, you elected to return to local news at 7. Wish you would have stuck with it."

And D. Cecil emailed, “I would have thought that WSLS would have chosen to carry the special addition with Brian Williams that lasted 30 minutes longer than normal. I think repeating your program with Meagan Farley is a joke anyway. I would rather have watched the national coverage ,than have the views and opinions of a Salem Fire Chief who visited a hole in the ground or a Cameo of Bob Goodlatte  and his opinions. This was world news and that coverage should have been at the network level. I'm very disappointed at this decision."

WSLS responds: Thanks for the comments. We carried all of NBC’s breaking news reports on Osama bin Laden's death on Sunday, which lasted until midnight. The following day much of our local newscasts were dedicated to the news of his death, from international, national, and local perspectives. Given that amount of coverage our news managers didn't feel it was necessary for us to cancel our 7 p-m newscast for an extended version of Nightly News.