[Warren Kiefer]

This morning while watching a couple of news programs and the British Open Golf Tournament I heard the exact following phrases from news persons and golf color commentators.
In my opinion; I can only speculate; We cannot confirm; It is reported; It's possible; It might be; I think what is in his mind; I have a feeling; etc,etc etc on and on it goes.
These commentators and news persons then continue with a long narrative about something that they really don't have a clue about. Why is it these people believe that their speculation or opinions have any real value. Why can't they just keep quiet and only report those things they know to be factual ?????

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

This morning while watching a couple of news programs and the British Open Golf Tournament I heard the exact following phrases from news persons and golf color commentators.
In my opinion; I can only speculate; We cannot confirm; It is reported; It's possible; It might be; I think what is in his mind; I have a feeling; etc,etc etc on and on it goes.
These commentators and news persons then continue with a long narrative about something that they really don't have a clue about. Why is it these people believe that their speculation or opinions have any real value. Why can't they just keep quiet and only report those things they know to be factual ?????

I know this from our granddaughter the TV news producer. BECAUSE THEY HAVE TIME TO FILL AND NOTHING IS HAPPENING.

Now that's settled.

[Uptown Girl]

Kind of like TOTV, at times......

[asianthree]

..sorry its what i hear and then the idiot that shouts in the hole so he can tell his friends that was me..sure..of course the guy that shouted " beautiful "may have a shot

[MikeV]

The same as any other show when they need to fill time. I can't stand it when shows tell you what is "coming up after the break" and then after the break they tell you again what is coming up. They spend more time telling what is coming up then time actually spent on the story itself.

[DougB]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

This morning while watching a couple of news programs and the British Open Golf Tournament I heard the exact following phrases from news persons and golf color commentators.
In my opinion; I can only speculate; We cannot confirm; It is reported; It's possible; It might be; I think what is in his mind; I have a feeling; etc,etc etc on and on it goes.
These commentators and news persons then continue with a long narrative about something that they really don't have a clue about. Why is it these people believe that their speculation or opinions have any real value. Why can't they just keep quiet and only report those things they know to be factual ?????

It's would only be my opinion and I can only speculate why.

[aln]

They have to use expressions like that or the interviews could end to abruptly...

case in point..

Michelle Kozinski of NBC was interviewing an engineer working on raising the Costa Concordia Cruise ship off Italy. After he explained the process, she asked "do you think it'll work?"
His answer was... "that's why were doing it".

Did she really think they would spend over a year and hundreds of thousands of dollars on something that WOULDN'T work?

[patfla06]

Originally Posted by MikeV

The same as any other show when they need to fill time. I can't stand it when shows tell you what is "coming up after the break" and then after the break they tell you again what is coming up. They spend more time telling what is coming up then time actually spent on the story itself.

Exactly!!
That's why I can't stand the morning shows like Today.
They rush through every interview because they spend most of the time
With "what's coming up."

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I know this from our granddaughter the TV news producer. BECAUSE THEY HAVE TIME TO FILL AND NOTHING IS HAPPENING.

Now that's settled.

Gracie, the problem with filling in time using speculation, opinions and unconfirmed information is that those speculations and opinions too often are passed along and become "facts".

[zcaveman]

That is why there is a 'Mute" button. I use it on golf and baseball. They all seem to talk just to talk and fill the air space.

Z

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

This morning while watching a couple of news programs and the British Open Golf Tournament I heard the exact following phrases from news persons and golf color commentators.
In my opinion; I can only speculate; We cannot confirm; It is reported; It's possible; It might be; I think what is in his mind; I have a feeling; etc,etc etc on and on it goes.
These commentators and news persons then continue with a long narrative about something that they really don't have a clue about. Why is it these people believe that their speculation or opinions have any real value. Why can't they just keep quiet and only report those things they know to be factual ?????

I agree. It is very annoying. They must think we hang on every word.

I think football commentators are as bad or worse. Comments like "If they are going to win this game they need to make more touchdowns" are a real insult to our intelligence.

[gmcneill]

Warren: I agree with you about reporters. They are (or certainly should be) obligated to report the facts of a story. Period. Personal opinions and, for me, personal comments after a story are inappropriate. "The City of Altoona has been flooded by chocolate leaking from a Mallo Cup supply line at the Boyer Candy Company. Such a tragedy."

Really? A tragedy?! Wow! Thank you so much for clarifying that for me. I couldn't have determined that for myself.

Sports Commentators are supposed to give insight into a situation or the thought processes of players and coaches based on their personal experiences in that same capacity. Whether such insight is accurate or not, well, that is another matter altogether. In that light, your point is well-taken, maybe, perhaps, I think.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

Why can't they just keep quiet and only report those things they know to be factual ?????

Originally Posted by graciegirl

BECAUSE THEY HAVE TIME TO FILL AND NOTHING IS HAPPENING.

And because they get paid big bucks to fill up airtime. It would be very quiet if commentators didn't speculate. You'd think your mute button was stuck.

[mgjim]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I know this from our granddaughter the TV news producer. BECAUSE THEY HAVE TIME TO FILL AND NOTHING IS HAPPENING.

Now that's settled.

Absolutely right! I have given up getting my news from TV. They simply have too much time and too little news.

[glencus]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

This morning while watching a couple of news programs and the British Open Golf Tournament I heard the exact following phrases from news persons and golf color commentators.
In my opinion; I can only speculate; We cannot confirm; It is reported; It's possible; It might be; I think what is in his mind; I have a feeling; etc,etc etc on and on it goes.
These commentators and news persons then continue with a long narrative about something that they really don't have a clue about. Why is it these people believe that their speculation or opinions have any real value. Why can't they just keep quiet and only report those things they know to be factual ?????

Why not just change the station?