Moss coverage offers questions
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 2, 2002
"Front page for the paper tomorrow?" asked my boyfriend, referring to Vikings player Randy Moss' arrest after his car hit a traffic officer in Minneapolis.
I reminded him our news coverage is very local, but it would probably be in the sports section.
"It shouldn't be on the front of any newspaper, really," I said, reasoning it was a sports story, or maybe an inside news item.
Well, I guess I was wrong. Predictably, the papers from the Twin Cities had it up front and the metro news stations covered it. That's understandable. Moss lives up there and papers like the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press are information sources for people all across the state.
But here in the Austin area, it's hardly a story that should be put up front or lead a newscast.
I guess I was wrong there too.
Another regional paper put it on the front page.
How that is more important that what was decided at the county board meeting or a neighborhood watch meeting, I'm not really sure.
And then an area news station led with Moss coverage at 6 p.m. Not only mentioning it, but putting together a package of stories.
Please.
You can't tell me local news, such as low test scores in Austin's elementary schools, is not more important to this area than two misdemeanor charges on a football player in Minneapolis.
Yes, I know the Vikings are an important team in Minnesota. I know this further tarnishes Moss' reputation.
But is his behavior really that surprising? Is this something the local media should be covering over things that actually affect us?
His possible suspension and jail time affects the Vikings -- that's it. And yes, Vikings fans and even those the follow them every once in awhile are curious about what may happen to Moss.
But wouldn't the sports page be a better place for coverage of that? Even an inside story where papers put state news would be appropriate.
Local news media should place importance on local issues over a state or national issue, unless it has a tangible effect on local residents. If the governor nudged a traffic cop with his car, that would be put up front in a local paper. If the mayor of Minneapolis did the same, it would be a brief on the inside.
Local papers should provide local news readers and viewers can't get from the Star Tribune or the Pioneer Press. We know many of our readers read other papers, but they turn to us for local coverage and expect it to be a priority.
I do not disagree that Moss' charges are a story. People should know about any crimes he has committed, especially when he is a role model for children and teenagers. His actions should be scrutinized.
But they can be scrutinized on the sports pages and segments in our local media. There are too many stories of local interest to be trumped by a football player's actions in the Cities.
Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com