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Working to define, not be defined

Posted by Misty Montano on Monday, May 30, 2011, In : Social Media in the Newsroom 


Almost three months have passed since I last wrote and announced my decision to leave CBS4 News after 10 1/2 years On the News Desk.

I’ve been waiting for my feet to find steady ground.  I’ve been finding my new place and how exactly I fit.  I’ve been too exhausted at the end of the day to write.

I have composed many blogs in my mind and seriously need to start recording my thoughts so they aren’t lost!

My personal blog has been just as neglected, which is truly sad because I had pla...


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I signed off the news desk at CBS4 News for the last time

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, In : Assignment News Desk 

I signed off from the CBS4 News desk for the last time last night after 10 plus years as an Assignment Editor because I’ve accepted the position of Digital Content Manager at 9News. When I think of my life, channel 4 and everyone at the station is right there along with thoughts about my family.  I can’t picture life away from there, but now I must. 

I grew up at channel 4 on the news desk.  I thought I knew everything when I started here right out of college and it turns out I knew ver...
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10 press release etiquette tips and requests

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, In : Assignment News Desk 

Recently I had the pleasure of participating in a media round table luncheon hosted by PRSA Colorado.  I was asked questions about newsroom staffing, editorial decision making, press release preferences, best newsroom contacts, best times to call, and much more.   It seems I’ve taken a lot of questions about press releases lately; or maybe it’s because the luncheon happened not long ago so it just seems like a lot more than normal.

I haven’t written much about press releases sin...
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Facebook page admins be wary of mind control tactics

Posted by Misty Montano on Friday, March 4, 2011, In : Social Media in the Newsroom 

If you’re a facbook page administrator like I am I bet you were ready to pull your hair out yet again at some of the recent changes to facebook pages.  Some of the changes I welcomed with open arms, such as being able to post as your page.  I love this as I see the increased marketing potential.  One change reaffirmed my suspicion that facebook is trying to take over the world. 

Facebook started deciding what was most relevant and important for each of us.  MIND CONTROL.


This didn’t happe...
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Twitter note to my fellow area Journalists

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, February 26, 2011, In : Twitter 


In the last few weeks I’ve seen a surge of journalists throughout the metro area creating Twitter accounts.  Some are using the accounts.  Some are letting them sit stagnant.  To my fellow journalists who have now decided to at least take a look at Twitter:  Welcome.  This post is not meant to be a lecture, but more of a friendly, “here are some tips.” 

I don’t know why the sudden surge from several media outlets from newspaper to TV (broadcast, public and cable), to radio, has been h...


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Take steps beyond Twitter and Facebook

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, February 8, 2011, In : Social Media in the Newsroom 




In the past three weeks I’ve found myself giving social media 101 lessons to coworkers.  Two thoughts simultaneously crashed in my mind.  “Aren’t we beyond 101?” SLAMS into “W00t! We’re here!”  Working with social media has become such a part of my daily life and work, that I forget that others are still testing the waters.

This is something I can’t forget.  As a journalist working to progressively move news beyond the traditional I can’t move forward independently whil...
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I am an assignment editor

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, In : Assignment News Desk 


I can't resist posting this xtra normal episode by spexorama: I Am An Assignment Editor.  It so nicely describes what I do on the news desk.  The frustration I sometimes feel when I try to explain my job shows eloquently.  Of course I know how important the position of the assignment editor is in the newsroom, and in trying to explain/show that importance, I admit a tiny bit of embellishment may be added.  There are certainly days where I feel like a glorified telephone operator, or intern!

...
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The meaning of the Toy Drive

Posted by Misty Montano on Monday, December 20, 2010,
I remember at least one Christmas as a child where my family was helped by the kindness and generosity of others.  Due to these people I will never know, my brothers, sister and I got presents under the tree.  We were able to have a special breakfast with Santa.  We were taken on a shopping trip where we each got to spend a certain amount of money.  The kind woman that was with just us kids made sure we bought presents for mom and dad too.

I don’t remember how old I was, but I was old enoug...
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A Social Media Outline for any Journalist

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, August 28, 2010, In : Social Media in the Newsroom 



It’s really been quite hard for me to maintain a train of thought these last few months of pregnancy.  That’s obvious by my lack of blogging, and the fact that I’ve mentioned this before!  To handle family, home, work and the rest of life I didn’t force myself to write other than necessary tasks.  I did, however, need to write out the below Social Media Outline for any Journalist.

This need was for myself as I needed to formalize a basic goal plan of what I want to achieve in my o...
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Alien abductee email news tip

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, July 10, 2010, In : Assignment News Desk 
John Doe

Denver
555-555-55555
Granting an on air t.v. interview about alien abductions.  An abductee requesting an interview.  How does this work?  Can someone contact me to explain the process.  555-555-5555 and ask for John Doe over at No Name Modeling & Talent Agency”


Yes, the above is indeed a news tip/request that the station received last week via email.  To protect the identity of the tipster, I changed the name and a few other details.  All of my changes are in italics.

Every once in...
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The crazy caller is the one constant

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, In : Assignment News Desk 

“CBS 4 News this is Misty.”

“Do you know the difference between a deer and an elk?” CLICK.

As my thought of “did we air a picture and get it wrong?” was forming the caller hung up.  I have no idea why he called.  He sounded upset.  He didn’t sound like he was prank-calling.  With the phone silent against my ear I went ahead and did a search of the rundowns just to check for any possible mistake we could have made.   There had been no pictures or stories of deer or elk for days.

I...


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Don't forget the simple steps when tracking down a source

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, June 16, 2010, In : Assignment News Desk 
So very much happens on the news desk that sometimes the little, usual steps are forgotten.  I’m guilty of this.  I work so hard on so many different tasks that I overlook a simple step that would have gotten me everything I needed.  Last week though the simple routine  helped us get an exclusive interview with Timothy Masters, a man who spent 10-years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit.

In the middle of the afternoon we received a short release from Masters’ attorney saying the Cit...
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We live in a fractured technological society

Posted by Misty Montano on Sunday, June 6, 2010, In : Assignment News Desk 


I have repeatedly mentioned this in my posts:  I take calls weekly from viewers upset because they don't have easy access to a computer, let a lone the Internet.  They are upset because our newscasts direct them to our website for further information on the stories.  The calls are mostly from elderly folks, but increasingly the calls are from younger people.  Due to their economic situations, the computer or the Internet, was an expense they could no longer afford.

I try to give out all the i...
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Using Ustream in news collaboration

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, In : Social Media in the Newsroom 
Two more news collaborations have been completed.  Each utilized Ustream, but in different ways.  The first was Monday where we invited local artists Laurie Maves and Nemo to watch an investigative story by Brian Maass that looked at an art gallery in Aspen accused of plagiarizing art work.  They met Assistant News Director Kristine Strain, watched the story and asked some questions.

Soon after they left the station they broadcast their discussion of the story on Laurie's Ustream channel.  The...
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Start the conversation early with news collaboration

Posted by Misty Montano on Thursday, May 13, 2010, In : Social Media in the Newsroom 

We invited law enforcement officers and community members to come to the station to watch our story on Distracted Drivers BEFORE it aired Friday night. After they watched the story the panel reviewed and discussed the story amongst themselves and on their personal social networks. The discussion was broadcast live on Ustream allowing more participation from those who watched.

This is one of the news collaboration projects of which I’ve been writing. Those on the panel became supplem...

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Journalists, let's talk social media as marketing efforts

Posted by Misty Montano on Thursday, May 13, 2010, In : Social Media in the Newsroom 


When I say news collaboration out loud in the newsroom I get looks of confusion, uncertainty, and doubt as the response. When I say news collaboration through social media the looks tell me I’m crazy. Recently I’ve been trying a new tactic.

I’ve found it easier to explain why I chose to work with social media as a journalist by discussing it in marketing terms. I’m not sure why this is. I’ve said it before; rarely do we in the newsroom get in on the marketing plans for the ...

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News collaboration provides supplemental resource for viewers

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, In : Social Media in the Newsroom 

Friday Dr. Robert Forto posted a blog that shared his thoughts, insight and personal story in reaction to watching a story that aired that night. We invited him to come to the station the day before the story was on the news. We asked him take the story to his social networks, website, and/or blog in any way he felt appropriate. We did not ask for any editorial control in any way he chose to share his reaction and opinion on the story.

Robert's blog: Forget Me (Not) Ca...

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News collaboration can be a business plan

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, May 8, 2010, In : Social Media in the Newsroom 
CBS4 News is not new to using social media. The station has been at it for well over a year. (Hey it’s longer than some, shorter than others, but more aggressive than other local media outlets.) I think though that I’m the only one who uses the actual term “news collaboration.”

Collaboration is exactly what we've been doing. From the surgery shared live through Twitter to the Join the Conversation campaign to the Interactive HelpCenter we’re collaborating with the public in our ne...
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News collaboration could cause giant shift in news time continuum

Posted by Misty Montano on Friday, May 7, 2010, In : Social Media in the Newsroom 

As you probably know I believe in collaborative news projects. News is not dying. People are information hounds who will search out the information they want. The traditional news model is changing because of this. We must find ways to be relevant.

A coworker said today that the one benefit television news still has is the immediacy of live video along with the human contact. Notice she tagged on human contact. Twitter, facebook, YouTube, etc. may beat news crews to the scene and start sha...

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Good-bye press release I didn't even open

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, In : Assignment News Desk 
Your hard work on that press release just went bye-bye with the click of the delete button.  You know what’s the saddest about this?  I don’t even know what I deleted.  There was no information, other than your name and contact info in the body of the email.  You expected me to open an attachment to find out what you’re pitching.  I don’t have time to open the attachment.  Delete.

I’m not making this up.  Earlier this morning during a rush on the news desk I deleted four of these ema...
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Logistics and emotions of covering a school shooting

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, In : Assignment News Desk 
I’ve been on the news desk for almost 10 years at CBS4 News.  By now it’s routine and instinctive on how to cover big breaking news events.   First it’s the adrenaline and the rush of semi-controlled chaos as I work to confirm information, move news crews, keep the newsroom informed of every development, etc.  Eventually my silent thoughts of “is this really happening?” creep in and are later followed up by the emotions and thoughts everyone at home watching the event unfold have ha...
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Handling a suicide call while on the news desk

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, In : Assignment News Desk 
A few minutes before the 10pm newscast started on a night in January I answered the phone and found myself talking to a woman threatening suicide.

The call didn’t start out that way. The caller wanted to leave a tip about a story we had tried to work in November. I could tell she was very upset and her story sounded…well, honestly, crazy. I have taken many conspiracy theory calls, calls from people claiming to have been implanted with a microchip by the government, and yes, even calls fr...
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Anyone know how to deprogram a producer?

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, January 9, 2010, In : Assignment News Desk 

It seems though I may have programmed the producers too well.  I’ve written how I proudly wear the Dream Killer Tiara as I often have to tell producers they can’t have desired live shots because logistically they’re just not possible. Everyone knows though that I, and the others on the news desk, work hard to make all the requests come true.  

So I was quite surprised yesterday when a producer cancelled a live shot without even talking to me about a way to make it happen. "You’ve go...


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I'm not sure I'll ever believe in UFOs now

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, December 12, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

“I’m in Longmont. Have you received any calls on lights in the sky?  My wife and I and two or three others saw this light that looked like a shooting start until it split into two and then crisscrossed each other until the lights faded out!” 

The caller went on to explain more about the lights.  He said Longmont Police had said the lights were from pyrotechnic skydivers but that he didn’t believe it.  I told him that I couldn’t confirm that but there was a group of pyrotechnic sky...


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With some callers all I hear is Mrs. Donovan, Charlie Brown's teacher

Posted by Misty Montano on Friday, December 4, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

“CBS4 News this is Misty.”

“I don’t understand why you media won’t ask Obama the hard questions on why we’re still in Afghanistan.  No one wants to be there.  I want you to ask…” The caller went on with question after question.  I tried to interrupt a couple of times, but wasn’t heard. 

Finally he took a breath.  “Sir, I can’t ask these questions for you.  I…”

He cut me off, “Don’t sass me young lady.  I was talking.  I know what you can do.  You’re the med...


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Caller makes me Thankful

Posted by Misty Montano on Thursday, November 26, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

I found myself explaining to a woman over the phone how to share a link on her facebook page tonight.  Then I found myself kicking myself for the internal sigh I had when the woman asked me to her.  The conversation ended with her crying and with me holding back my own tears.

The woman called to ask if there was a way to get a copy of a story that the station aired.  She was watching it on her computer and wanted a copy for her and her mom.  I started to explain that the newsroom administrat...


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I am the Dream Killer and the Saboteur

Posted by Misty Montano on Thursday, November 19, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

“Misty, I blame you!” exclaimed the producer half in jest half in frustration.  “All these weird truck problems are all you!” 

“Yep, that’s me.  I caused the tire to go flat,” I responded with a laugh.

Sometimes when it seems all is going wrong, all you can do is make a joke out of it as you work to make sure the viewer would never know what obstacles with which you’re dealing.  Tonight it was a flat tire on a live truck.  The truck was already in position for the 5pm newsc...


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Internet Silent: The night the Internet crashed

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, November 14, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
Tonight has been a busy news night. Nothing could be considered huge breaking news, but it was enough to keep me busy in the newsroom and on Twitter sharing information. Rewind 24-hours and I wouldn’t have been able to Tweet. There was a company-wide, seriously coast to coast, Internet outage that lasted hours. While I was on the news desk during the outage, it was very calm news wise and I found myself thinking, “huh, I’m not going crazy by not being able to Twitter.”

After tonight th...

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"I've been stabbed! uh, I mean I stabbed myself" and the news coverage

Posted by Misty Montano on Thursday, November 5, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

Monday night (Nov. 2) after 6 p.m. I heard a call to respond to a stabbing in Jefferson County. Several agencies were called to send crews, including K-9, set up a perimeter to search for suspects. Immediately my new antennas went up and I was on alert. I had few crews – let me rephrase – NO crews, available to send to just check out the scene. I needed information and I needed logistic plans A – D.

I waited a few minutes to give dispatchers enough time to do their jobs before I bothered...


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Seriously, butter? A letter to the bowl owner.

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

I noticed last night as I was leaving that there was a bowl with a stick of butter in it on the desk behind the assignment desk. I don’t remember the exact phrase I said, but as I grabbed my coat and saw it I exclaimed something like, “seriously? Is that butter on the desk?” Then I walked away.

I figured the owner of the butter would take care of it in the morning, so I didn’t touch it. The bowl the butter is in is a nice bowl. I have lost many-a-bowl to the underbelly of the break roo...


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Miscommunication havoc in the newsroom; at least the viewer can't tell

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, October 31, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

I’m never sure how things like this happen, but it’s frustrating.  I think there was miscommunication all around this afternoon.  I say all around because the problem just wasn’t here in the newsroom.  We almost missed an important story all because the right questions weren’t asked and those who were supposed to have all the details had little information themselves.

An intern answered one of the many phone calls this afternoon and was told of an upcoming press event.  The event was...


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I wish for tailored news pitches

Posted by Misty Montano on Thursday, October 22, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

Every Monday from 6-9pm MST @PRsarahevans hosts Journchat on Twitter.  One question lead me to write this post.



My answers:



Even though I was going for witty and funny in my first answer, both answers are actually serious.  A press release with a nice goody basket these days definitely helps the event stand out in everyone’s minds as we go into our editorial meetings, but if what you’re trying to get us to cover just doesn’t fit anywhere into our news goals, you probably won’t...


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For theraputic reasons I share the craziness of what I hear on the news desk

Posted by Misty Montano on Friday, October 2, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

I must share the craziness that I heard today because it’s all so random and on my mind.  I must share to make it a self-therapy of sorts.  If I have to deal with it, then you, who read this, can share and get a peek into the craziness I hear day in and day out.

 

As I walked onto the news desk this afternoon I heard from one of the scanner, Aurora I think but can’t be sure since I was just stepping onto the desk, “Reported vandalism of a car.  Caller says a man is hitting a car with a ...


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A preemptive strike from a PIO or PR rep can prevent mishaps

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, September 26, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

I understand how difficult it is to be a PIO or PR rep during breaking news or a developing situation.  (For rest of post I will use PIO-Public Information Officer-to refer to all media reps.)  I relate to your job as I compare it to that of my own as an assignment editor.  I only know what is happening by what I’m told by news crews on scene, witnesses or PIOs; or by what I hear on the scanners. 

Producers, writers, editors, managers, reporters, photographers constantly ask me for more det...


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No escaping hate on the news desk

Posted by Misty Montano on Thursday, September 24, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

I’ve been called many things and accused of many things by those who call the newsroom to share their complaints, frustration, and anger.  I’ve been accused of being an instigator by encouraging and rallying for reaction from the public.  I was thrown back a little the other day when a caller accused me and the media in general of NOT inciting the public.

 

When I answered the phone the caller immediately launched into his tale without pausing for breath.  He rambled about September 25th ...


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Frank talk on ACORN and news decisions

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

Since September 10th when the undercover video at ACORN was released I, and my coworkers, have taken many calls, emails and social media comments on the story.  With confidence I can say 90% of the comments were nasty and mean.  Only a few times did I see an email, direct Twitter message, or phone call that didn’t make me brace myself for another lashing.  Those few comments were actually questions instead of accusation.  They were questions of “how is a national story like ACORN covered ...


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Playing it safe with news tips

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, September 1, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

This afternoon the news desk received two very viable news tips.  I was unable to confirm either tip.  My gut tells me that tomorrow, both tips will be a story.

 

It’s frustrating when this happens.  I can only do so much from the news desk like make as many calls as possible until I reach anyone who will give me an answer.  If the answer is no comment or no that’s incorrect, I’m stuck. 

 

I’m on the news desk communicating through email, phone calls and even Twitter.  None of this r...


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News desk mistaken for dating service

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, August 18, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

This afternoon the news desk received the below email with a simple subject line of "Hello".

 

Hello! I dream, to meet my significant other, a native part of soul, a kind, fair, true the person who can establish a strong, friendly family. In which there will be a main thing, respect, trust, love, sincerity, to each other. I will be very happy to see your letters here: (Web address listed here)

 

Attached to the email is a picture of a beautiful young lady in a red clingy, but not too revealin...


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Come on people; not everything you read on the Internet is true. Do your research. Stop the spam email.

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, August 12, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

I have mentioned before the amount of email we receive on the news desk.  Hundreds.  We have to sort through them for vital information needed by deadline; for press releases updating continuing stories or notices for upcoming events; for internal station and corporate memos; and for valid news tips.  I think only half of what is emailed is actually useful to us.  The rest is basically spam from companies (news wire services, and even some PR firms) all over the nation doing mass emails to al...


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Caller says media and green rooms are to blame for Michael Jackson's death

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, August 8, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

Me: "CBS4 News this is Misty"

Caller:  "This is John Doe and you don't know me from hell cause I've kept it that way but I just have to do something to help Michael.  You see I was a child actor and under contract with Disney at 18.  Then I went on to be a producer at Liberty UA.  I worked with Dick Clark to create the American Music Awards."

(I didn't interrupt, but I knew I was in for a long call if I let it go on, but it was quiet in the newsroom and he wasn't being irate or belligerent.  I ...


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Demanding caller questions my belief in freedom of information

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, August 1, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

I was accused of not believing in the freedom of information by an upset caller today.  I wasn’t surprised by his outburst because he started off the conversation very abrasive.  This was a new accusation though.  I’ve been called many things over the phone while on the news desk, but my belief in freedom of information has never been questioned before today.

 

Me: CBS4 News this is Misty

 

Caller:  Yes, I’d like to know why I can’t find the phone numbers of all the stations in Denver...


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Sometimes it’s all about the tasks

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, July 29, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

I heard someone say the other day that he never hears the term multitasking anymore because now with all that we do, and how often we stay connected, multitasking is just what we do.  It isn’t something to brag about on resume.  Okay, he has a good point and no, I personally wouldn’t point out and claim to be good at multitasking on a resume.  I wouldn’t have to because more often than not Assignment Editor is a synonym for multitasking.

 

One afternoon last week during the afternoon ed...


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To my surprise the crazy caller made the day normal

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

I’ve been off the news desk for two weeks due to medical leave.  It’s always daunting to go back to work after just a few days off of work.  News never stops.  The job never stops.  Often hours off the desk leave you running around trying to catch up on all that has happened and all of what you need to do to continue the news coverage.  Just earlier this summer when I returned from speaking at a conference it felt like I had walked into the middle of a dance and had no rhythm.

 

Today (so...


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Today I yelled at the interns & then I apologized

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 27, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

"I NEED ALL THE INTERNS IN THIS NEWSROOM TO ANSWER THE PHONES!!!!"

I'd cupped my hands around my mouth to amplify my voice and shouted out into the newsroom in a very stern voice.

I didn't even think.  I just yelled.  The entire newsroom went quiet.  Then a couple of the producers chimed in, "Please. Please help answer the phones." 

The phones were ringing constantly and the afternoon storms were just starting to cause havoc.  My coworker on the desk and I were working to gather information and...


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Walking into the middle of the dance with no rhythm to add

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
Drove back from Vegas this morning. Rushed to work. Walked into a newsroom that was buzzing with urgency of covering tornadoes. I've been gone for a week. Almost every day that I was gone there was severe weather coverage. (Many have joked tornado alley moved, but actually I believe this is more traditional to Colorado weather patterns and what's been out of the ordinary is the lack of such weather.)

It was obvious this dance had been done quite recently and people were in auto-mode; which doe...
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Two too many Jennifers...

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
Friday night, 9:58pm: I hear the producer say over the RTS "Misty - Somebody tell Jennifer Zeppelin we're less than a minute away from the show!"

My head snaps up and I see Jennifer McRae half-way between me and the weather center. "Jennifer! Go tell Jennifer Zeppelin we're less than a minute away!"

Jennifer looks at Jennifer Miller standing across the producer pod from her. "Jennifer! You've got less than a minute! RUN!"

Me: "NO! Wrong Jennifer! Jennifer Zeppelin, ZEPPELIN!"

I'm not heard becaus...
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Abortion stories are never taken lightly in the newsroom

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
Yesterday I took a call from a woman so upset I knew she was shaking from head to toe to yell at me. She and a man in the background were furious that the newscast used a statement from a local abortion doctor, Dr. Warren Hern, and his picture. The statement was released to the media by the local doctor himself on his reaction to the fatal shooting of Kansas abortion doctor, Dr. George Tiller.

The caller truly believed our phones were "ringing off the hook" with furious complaint calls like he...
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Oh the frenzy one missed email causes

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
I've mentioned this before and will mention it again: we received HUNDREDS of emails DAILY from PR professionals, viewers, and Public Information Officers. To handle all of the emails we have one email address that goes to all of us on the news desk as well as all of the producers. The more eyes that can see what is sent to us, the better the chance something isn't overlooked.

This is exactly what happened today. A police department sent out additional information to a situation we'd covered t...
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No, I don't watch TV while I'm on the news desk

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
I have the Nuggets playoff game on the TV to my right and I actually have the volume up just enough so I can make out what is being said, but it's no louder than any one of the 11 scanners that surround me. This is rare. I have so much else to pay attention to I rarely pay any attention to the TVs. Same goes for the producers and writers doing their job to get ready for the newscasts. Unless we're watching another station's news lead or breaking news coverage, the TVs get little attention.

Ju...
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In the silence

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
It's as silent as it ever gets in the newsroom. I only hear background noise of scanners, keyboard keys clicking and a far off television. My shift is only half over but I feel spent for a job that is relatively sedentary.

I'm spent because from the moment I walk in the door until about this time every night it's go go go time. I may walk off the desk to track down photographers, editors, engineers, producers, etc., but I'm mostly confined to the news desk where everything comes at me. Constan...
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"Thank you, I'll pass on your comment"

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
In less than an hour I took three calls where with a sigh I just said, "Thank you, I'll pass on your comment."

The first was from a viewer who claimed no news media until today had EVER done a story on waterboarding and the government use of it. At first I was going to interrupt to tell him of the multitude of stories the station has aired on both the national and local levels. I couldn't because the caller was on a rant and I couldn't get a word in anywhere. At one point I wondered, "Has he t...
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Can I handle any more news?

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
Today is so not yesterday. Today was busy to start because of back-to-back meetings followed by the rush to actually get caught up on everything with only an hour to go before news-time. Yesterday started off with my coworker saying, "Oh, by the way your night side photographers are screwy today" and ended with this Tweet "WMF PIO: confirms 14-yr old arrested for arson and reckless endangerment for starting the fire. Suspected of playing w/a lighter near bushes."

It was so busy that I realized...
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Lesson of the day - communicate

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
Today was a comedy of errors on the assignment desk. We didn't miss any breaking news or mess up any big news stories, but it did cause a headache! In less than an hour we found out that an event wasn't shot as planned and found out the photographer in the satellite truck for a reporter's live shot at 6pm was at point A, which was miles away from reporter, who was in the actual location point B!

The event we missed was for a short story, a vo/sot, for the 5pm newscast. The photographer receive...
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Arbor Day. Who knew?

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
This afternoon was another comedy of errors for the news desk. I walked out of a meeting with the news director to hear a reporter say into his cell phone, "Now, that's an answer out of my pay range. Let me have you talk to someone else." He handed to phone to my coworker on the assignment desk.

I logged into the computer and kept an ear out on the conversation. It sounded like my coworker was trying to have a picture emailed to us for use in a story. The reporter then started telling us in t...
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Email tips that make you go "what?"

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

Email tips that make you go "what?"

EMAIL RECEIVED THIS AFTERNOON:

This is what I sent the ASPCA.

I would like to report cruelty against some poor squeal's in a tree. I was taking my dog out today at about 10:30am and I was standing in my front yard. Then I heared these tree removal people cutting a branch off a large tree to clear for the "under-constuction" Light Rail behind my house. I didn't think anything of it at first, Then one guy up in the tree w/ a chainsaw said "Check out this sque...

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I'm responsible for the verdict

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
Yesterday the jury in the Ward Churchill lawsuit against University of Colorado decided the verdict. I listened on the phone (no live feed from the courtroom) to the reporter who repeated the judges words as the verdict was read. I shouted out what the reporter told me and I Tweeted it at the same time. I shout a lot in the newsroom when I need to get out information or move crews! It had been hectic leading up to the verdict because we only got a 15-minute warning before it was read. We had ...
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How Twitter & I work together

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
Twitter allows interaction with the viewers I'm trying to reach. Twitter allows Tweeps to share in my day, share my journey of news each night. Twitter makes the news more than just headlines. Twitter allows transparency in news coverage. Twitter allows Tweeps to have ownership in the news.

All of that is possible in Twitter because Twitter is what you want it to be. You can make Twitter work for you in any way that you want. I use Twitter for all the above reasons.

I have two simple Twitter R...
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If you're a saint, why don't you ask God?

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
Yesterday I was on the phone helping a viewer when I hear my coworker say into the phone, "If you're a saint, why don't you ask God?" Pause. "What do you mean, what do I mean? You say you're a saint, so ask God."

It took all that I had in me to hold my laughter as I helped the kind, sane viewer on the phone with me.

It's been quite a while since I have talked to a someone like that on the phone. For a while there, especially after 9/11 there were tons of these callers. These people called so of...
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Twitter tips & apps for journalists & everyone else

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
An effort to understand and utilize Twitter in the newsroom and in life has lead me and my husband, @Edit_Foundry, to search the web and read, read, read. We've found many articles and followed many Tweets on using Twitter. I've decided to start listing what we've found that has been helpful to me as a journalist. My goal is to keep everything in one place so I can easily access it all.

Please use my list, add suggestions and check it out occasionally as I will update it as I find new informa...
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Twitter has made me a better assignment editor

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
I have seen several blogs and news stories about Twitter and how Twitter is changing journalism. Previously I've discussed the future of journalism in the face of new media a.k.a. social media a.k.a. advanced media. I've decided to throw out my two cents on how social media has recently affected me as a journalist. I hope to give fellow journalists some ideas on what they can do as well.

CBS4 News launched Twitter a few months ago and then created a CBS4 News Facebook Fan Page last month. It's...
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Getting a mug shot shouldn't be this hard

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
Last night I received the below press release and thought it was written odd because it's missing information that is usually included like description of the suspect, the date of birth, hometown, etc. I figured it had been sent out because of the unusual crime: an angry man throwing a computer monitor across the room in a store. This is something you'd normally see on TV dramas only. We don't receive releases on criminal mischief such as this often.

Lone Tree Police Department
News Release
Type...
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You don't know me. How dare you make assumptions!

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
I understand hot button issues. I expect to receive calls on issues that people really care about. But, PLLEEEAASSSE, please, I implore you, keep your temper in check and just talk to me. I am a reasonable human being. I will discuss your concerns with the story with you. I will pass on your complaints to the reporter, producer, and even the news director.

I just hung up the phone on a woman extremely upset with how a reporter did a story on a bill in legislature regarding in-state tuition for...
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News can't always help

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
I received two calls today from the same gentleman who desperately wanted to know if I could tell him if a company was legit or not. At first he couldn't remember the correct name of the company. I used what he had to do an archive search to see if I could find any story that may have been on the company. While I'm doing the search he tells me how he left a message on the CBS4 News investigation tip line earlier and wanted to know if we'd found out anything on the company yet.

The search ende...
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A bitter chuckle at Sesame St. layoffs

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
Sesame Street is eliminating 67 positions! http://moourl.com/3945c

While we all know the seriousness of having more good people out of work, once the news about the Sesame Street layoffs broke some chose to make fun of it as a way to lighten the mood, or to be satirical.
http://moourl.com/rd68z
http://moourl.com/xc8ge
http://moourl.com/nyl1y

I believe I saw on Twitter a campaign to save Kermit. While I chuckled at what I read and watched, I felt reality weigh on my shoulders. In the last week...
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President Obama on 1st reference. Mr. Obama on 2nd

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
I say it all the time, we've done our job right when in the same day, on the same stories, when we're accused of being too conservative/right AND liberal/left by viewers. When this happens this means we've aired the story with all sides/angles represented. Yeah for unbiased, fair journalism!

Unfortunately, in the issue of referencing the president in our stories we will always be conservative/right for the next 4 - 8 years, as we were always liberal/left during the last 8 years. The difference...
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When good days go bad

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
It's day two of book (Nielsen ratings period)and we're chugging along just fine. To be honest, the stress of scheduling all the special shoots and edits for stories that are going to be aired in the next few weeks seems to have eased up. I'm not sure why. There's still a lot of blue ink on our assignment board.

Oh, I should explain blue ink. We keep tracks of assignments on a big dry erase board and several smaller boards depending on the day/stories, and of course in the computer. Assignments...
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Shawn Montano has a shift in attitude

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
WAIT IF YOU HAVEN'T READ MY POST Future of news/media & how Twitter is moving me there - YOU SHOULD. It explains why I chose to post this article. Cheers! :-)

Below is my article that I wrote for the November 2008 NPPA News Photographer Magazine on my husband, Shawn Montano. He was honored as the Editor of the Year with a party in the newsroom & exactly one week later he was laid off. He asked me to write the article over the complaints of the magazine editor, who thought I would write a fluff...
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Future of news/media & how Twitter is moving me there

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
I started this blog over a week ago and every time I sit down to write it, I can't seem to get out what I want to say. This block has left me feeling like there's nothing else I can blog about until I get this out. So please, if ramble and take tangents, remember it's my way of trying to connect the dots. I'd love your feedback and ideas.

I agree Lacey, it's been too long since I blogged.

Last week was a horrible week for journalism in Denver. The Rocky Mountain News closed. There were lay offs...
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Lessons & Reflections

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
I can't turn off my mind after a day like today. I'm at home and in comfy pajamas trying to turn it all off. I can't so I write. And now I have this long blog. When I sat down to write, with the cranberry/pomegranate martini I made, I only had two or three things to say. Really...

before 1pm
I knew today would be a busy news day with President Obama in Denver & signing the stimulus bill. I didn't have to come in early though for the coverage so I had hoped it would all be running smoothly. When...
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Not so helpful call

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
We are just human & humans make mistakes. It is unfortunate when misspellings and typos show up in the news. Several eyes look over the scripts and graphics to check for errors and to make corrections. Sometimes, the mistakes just get by us and end up on the air. My recent favorite was in a story listing the symptoms of e-coli where the graphic said STOMACH CRAPS instead of STOMACH CRAMPS. (Seriously. I couldn't make that up.)

I expect people to call to correct us. Some people do it out of wan...
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Combat the desk fat

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
I have a relatively sedentary job. I'm supposed to sit at the desk to monitor EVERYTHING. People get antsy when I or my coworkers walk away, even to just use the restroom. So I sit at an over sized desk, on a chair where my feet dangle a few inches off the ground (I'm only 5') for hours.

My movement of the day consists of:
Walking to the conference room in the middle of the newsroom for a daily meeting
Walking to use the restroom
Walking to fill my water bottle
Walking to the break room to warm ...
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I have your number

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
A race for high definition. Sony XDCAM vs Panasonic P2. Final Cut Pro vs Avid. You Report vs I Report. TV news is a whole world of advancing technology.

So why is it callers are surprised the station has caller I.D., which has been a staple of households since the 90's? That's right our phones, like most home and cell phones, have caller I.D.

This means when you want to take out your frustrations on the person who answers the phone, usually me, I have your phone number, and even your name.

Toni...
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News tip: In the event of my death...

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
The news desk receives hundreds of emails every day from PR types, organizations like police, schools and hospitals, and viewers. Viewers email what they think are news tips, which is everything from witnessing something that could be considered breaking news, to letting us know of their child's school play, to rants on conspiracy theories.

I sift through it all and within a glance I know if it is:
1. to be shouted out to the newsroom because it's breaking or developing news
2. to be filed unde...
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State of economy measured by press releases

Posted by Misty Montano on Friday, June 19, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
Today: a chocolate sheet cake celebrating the 50 years of the Colorado Garden & Home Show.

Yesterday: a beautiful heart box filled with Godiva heart chocolates from a local hospital promoting a weekend event.

Tonight: tummy ache

I am not a sweets person. I am not a chocolate woman. I am chips and salsa. But I couldn't stay away from the heart chocolates that melted in my mouth. I couldn't say no to one, plus a small, pieces of cake.

What normally would have taken hours, if not the entire day, to ...
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Breaking News?

Posted by Misty Montano on Friday, June 19, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
Sometimes breaking news is only covered because of timing and resources. Shootings, bank robberies, fights, chases, searches, stand offs, auto/pedestrian accidents, etc happen regularly on a daily basis. There is simply no way to cover everything that happens. Plus, this may be cold but true, who really cares about all of this? Incidents happen and resolve without injuries or without road closings, school lockdowns, evacuation. Sometimes there are injured victims, sometimes there are road clo...
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When fire alarms go off at the station

Posted by Misty Montano on Friday, June 19, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
I'd just hung up the phone. I heard laughter coming from the 10 p.m. newscast meeting in the news directors office. The rest of the newsroom was relatively quiet, even the scanners.

BZZZ BZZZ BZZZ BZZZ BZZZ

Blared from the ceiling. The fire alarm was going off.

No one moved except the assistant news director who came out of the meeting to look around. She looked at me and I said, "I'll call the security guard."

Security guard, "I think it's the main water line."
Me, "So I don't have to evacuate th...
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I am not a map

Posted by Misty Montano on Friday, June 19, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
4:55pm
I'm listening to Denver police conduct some kind of undercover bust. I've already moved Copter4. I've asked Doug to track down a photographer to go on the ground. I've told the producers what I'm hearing.

We're on alert for a homicide suspect that has been wanted since Wednesday night when he allegedly forced his girlfriend off the road, walked up to her car, and shot her. I can tell the officer on the scanner is tense as he moves other officers into location to move in on a suspect. Cou...
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Definition of Assignment Editor

Posted by Misty Montano on Friday, June 19, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 
Friday, January 30, 2009

When I give tours of the assignment desk I describe the desk and my position as the central nervous system of the station, or compare it all to that of a teacher in a classroom. Everything in the newsroom has to come through the desk or there will later be mass chaos.


There can be way too many cooks in the kitchen when it comes to figuring every part of the newscast that include the stories, reporters, photographers, edits, live trucks, locations, etc. When left to one...
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I am an assignment editor

Posted by Misty Montano on Friday, June 19, 2009, In : Assignment News Desk 

Thursday, January 29, 2009

There really is no better look to describe my feelings about my job than my profile pic - taken of me on my wedding day as a pin stuck me in the process of fixing a strap on my dress. Anticipation. Excitement. Pain. Emotions a bride can experience on her wedding day. Emotions I live through on the job. At the end of the work day though, the job isn't going to be sweeping me away for a honeymoon.

The honeymoon in my career ended just a short three months after I la...

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Misty Montano


Evolving Journalist I am a Journalist using Social Technologies and Interactive Media to connect with news consumers. I am taking on the new exciting and challenging role of Digital Content Manager at 9News in Denver, CO. Previously I was an Assignment Editor at CBS4 News in Denver where I won an Emmy for my work and spent the first 10 years of my career. I truly grew up on the news desk.