Monday, June 25, 2007

Most of the time, I would have to say that honor goes to KUTV Channel 2.

This morning, during the University of Utah shooting involving inmate Curtis Algier, KUTV was the first to go live on the scene of the shooting and had cameras on the stolen Ford Explorer as the suspect was driving in it.

The station, using its helicopter pinned on the Explorer, then got footage of the suspect stopping the car, jumping out and running into the Arby's restaurant where the ordeal ended.

The gunman, who was getting an MRI at the university's orthopedic center, apparently wrestled the gun from the corrections officer and shot and killed him. The gunman ran out, commandeered the vehicle at gunpoint, and a car chase with police ensued.

In addition to killing the guard, the inmate may also have injured someone else inside the Arby's.

Because KUTV was first to the scene, it was able to capture the end of the chase and also get shots of people fleeing the restaurant as the killer ran inside.

After that, I switched to KSTU Channel 13, the Fox affiliate, which was broadcasting news of the event but from the anchor desk. They didn't have cameras at the scene until later.

Then KSL Channel 5 was at the scene with its chopper, followed by KTVX Channel 4, which was there last.

KUTV always seems to be first on scene with "breaking news" coverage, even if the news doesn't warrant the attention.

So for KUTV to be so focused on their breaking news coverage is a double-edged sword. Yes, when it counts, the images can be striking if they are first.

But the downside is KUTV tends to stay with a story way too long. Granted, it keeps repeating the news for those who come in late, but sometimes they belabor the event. I thought that was the case here too.

Mind you, by the way, we are still in a news-gathering partnership with KUTV, in the interests of full disclosure.

But they overall did a fine job in presenting this tragic and scary ordeal to viewers. The station just needs to be more conservative in what it deems "breaking-news"-worthy.