Results from a third study show that viewers value reports from the scene of news that is unfolding, especially involving weather. Indeed, there are times, viewers tell us, that live reporting enhances coverage of the story, giving them insight and context they would not get from another type of report. However, they also agree, overwhelmingly, that there are times when live reports are meaningless. Many viewers say that they think reporting live from outside the house of a couple whose son was shot the night before is intrusive and in poor taste. The second of viewers' three major complaints is that TV news wastes time on unimportant stories.
Viewers also say they disdain live reports that seem to have no end.
Another viewer wrote that stations should spend money on content rather than on excessive use of technology. Many news observers and practitioners would agree. Live reporting should be used when it helps tell a story. But often, according to both reporters and viewers, the technology adds little at best and, at worst, forces solid journalism to take a back seat. C.A. Tuggle is an assistant professor of journalism and mass communications at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.