Why do daredevil TV reporters stay in New Orleans?

[bluestateguy]

Doesn't that kind of undermine the message of "Get out, it's not safe"? A not so educated person sitting at home could interpret that as "well, if Brian Williams is there, I don't need to evacuate the city". Usually these on the sport hurricane stories are not terribly informative anyway. It's usually just a reporter wearing a parka screaming into a microphone that we can barely hear because of all the rain.

This is not a football game, where we should be able to expect play by play coverage.

[Fleshdancer]

1. Because we watch them.

As much as I hate to admit it, if I had to choose between live footage of the storm or graphics, I would choose the live footage. I'm not proud of it, I don't like the idea of reporters risking their lives, but they do it because we watch them.

[Spinzonner]

2. For their Blooper reels ?

[Syrinx]

3. because it's their job to report the news

And you have to be on location to report what's happening. A civilian wouldn't likely volunteer to go to Baghdad, but we need to know what's going on.

[rucky]

4. Ask me again when September sweeps rolls around

as for now, I have no idea. higher sense of duty? awards & kudos? adrenaline junkies? maybe they pissed off the editor?

or maybe they're staning in front of a green screen and a giant fan with some PA pouring buckets of water onto the set?

[ClintonTyree]

8. "Higher sense of duty"..............

from the MSM? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: That's the best one I've heard today!

The others you listed are much more plausible.

[Tripper11]

5. Even though it's their job.....

...why not have a static camera and just report from the desk as it were?
The camera shot will still show the dramatic winds, surf and anything else without putting anyone in harms way.

[Horse with no Name]

6. It's what they do

and they love it.

[aaronbees]

7. We do love it...

I'm in print and not tv news, but the feeling is still the same. It goes something like this: It's my job to be there and know all I can, particularly with an event like this that has the power to shape people's lives forever. Someone has to tell the story. I once went tornado chasing for my job -- yes, crazy, but I knew what I wanted and knew the risk. Times-Picayune reporters are holed up in their office "bunker" posting updates on their Website. I'd give anything to be there.

[nosmokes]

9. hell, i'd stay - looks like fun, specially if i was on the

payroll and wasn't personally invested as far as having my family or dwelling threatened.

[bklyncowgirl]

10. It's what they live for--this is a huge story.

Why are the cops, firemen and other emergency workers there too? I give them a great deal of credit although some of the reporters look just a little too gleeful at the prospect of death and destruction on a massive scale.

Maybe it's just the adrenaline rush.

[Blaq Dem]

11. I'm still waiting for a STOP sign to de-capitate a reporter all live on TV

Now that would really send the message of how dangerous it would be to stand outdoors during a hurricane. Sadly, it could really happen.