Growing anger over those $500 citations spewed by photo enforcement cameras. They have little to do with safety say critics who claim the creepy, peepy red light cams can actually increase accidents at intersections.
Biography
“These may be dark days for news, but I’m part of a rare phemom, a news team that’s growing when other shops are collapsing around us,” says journalist and producer Michael Linder, now broadcasting on TalkRadio 790 KABC in Los Angeles.
“When I’m not out gathering sound, I’m often on John Phillips’ show between 6:30pm and 10pm, packing must-hear audio from the day to illustrate and update the issues John’s probing.
In between, I file stories for KABC news on the hour, often live — from stories happening now. Being a reporter is more crucial than ever as local newsgathering continues to contract,” says Linder.
“Insightful reporting is essential these days whether it’s at breaking stories or those proverbial corridors of power,” says Linder who recently opened a bureau for KABC at Los Angeles City Hall. “It’s true, those halls are made of marble — but those walking them are far less opaque.
“KCOP no longer does newscasts, KFWB is no longer an all-news station. The Los Angeles Times has folded its metro section and slashed its editorial staff by half. Heads-up, Democracy: your checks and balances are officially up for grabs.”
County Supervisors now restrict reporters’ movements at the Hall of Administration for the first time in history as they lavish taxpayer dollars on six-figure web sites to tell the public what supervisors believe they should be told. A weakened L.A. press corps is too busy covering four stories a day each to hold the Supes accountable. But there is hope.
New growth is poking its way out of this charred ground: a robust, inquisitive blogging community is taking root and growing into supremacy as a news source, one we should respect and encourage — though their evolution is likely to be a decade-long process.
Yet against the gloomy backdrop of mainstream media, KABC is expanding its news component, a testament to Citadel Broadcasting and programmer David G. Hall for believing in the power of local news and community, values more important than ever.”
Michael Linder has won numerous honors for his investigative journalism including an Edward R. Murrow Award. He has won an Emmy for his work in television. Among his achievements in TV, Linder created and executive produced “America’s Most Wanted” and “The Jesse Jackson Show.”
Résumé
Radio Journalism Awards
Previously…
Baghdad, 1990