Viewers Voice: Complaints about VT over-coverage

Our story about graduation, which included sound from Virginia Tech students, had Clinton McLaughlin asking this question: “Why is it that WSLS Channel 10 is a Roanoke, Virginia station, but it insists on going to Virginia Tech anytime it wants to do a news story involving higher education? Instead of going to say Hollins University which is a local university? It appears to me that there is a definite bias towards Virginia Tech. Prove me wrong!"

WSLS responds: Clinton, I can't prove you wrong, as we do report more on Virginia Tech. The story you saw talked in part about the economic impact of graduation. Virginia Tech had a graduating class of 5,000. No other university in the viewing area, and few others in the entire commonwealth, could compete with those numbers and the impact that influx of people traveling here could have. Some estimates show 20,000 people coming to the area this week for graduation festivities. In fact, hotels, restaurants, and shops feel the impact not only in the NRV but also in Roanoke. Having said that, we do cover other universities and routinely have stories on Radford, Washington & Lee, VMI, Liberty, Roanoke College, and Hollins, to name a few. But you are correct, Virginia Tech gets more coverage because of its size   and impact on the region.

Another viewer thinks it's time for us to stop talking about the Peabody Award WSLS won for its coverage of the Virginia Tech shooting massacre.

Carloline Huntley wrote, "This award is certainly prestigious and one for which WSLS should be proud. However, in my understanding, it was for coverage of one story only, and that was 4 years ago. I think that by still emphasizing it in your TV and print ad coverage you are wearing it a little thin.  I am kind of tired of hearing about it, and wish you would find something more current to promote. (Caroline Huntley)

WSLS responds: Caroline, thanks for the email. The Peabody WSLSs won was for our continuing coverage of the tragedy at Virginia Tech. That encompassed not just one story, but days worth of coverage of one of the biggest events to ever happen in our viewing area. It was a defining moment. As you point out, a Peabody Award is prestigious. In fact, it’s the highest honor a television station can earn, and few do. Frankly, we were humbled to have been selected and it's something our staff is very proud of. That's why we mention in our show opens and in some of our marketing.

Finally, we got kudos for Storm Team 10 Meteorologist Jeff Haniewich's coverage of a storm heading toward Hillsville last week.

Alvin Collett wrote, “I would like to speak with Jeff Haniewich and let him know that he hit the nail on the head with this one as he always gives us an accurate account for our weather.  We were watching him and he was describing the air conditions specifically in our area and pointed to us on the weather map.  In about 5 to 10 minutes later we had this crazy event.”