Local TV News: The clown show killing the need for real journalism.

As a veteran of the broadcast news wars, I take no joy in writing about the descent into bad acting local television news has become. While many of those employed in the industry know how badly their profession has been impacted by ineffective and greedy management, they need the work, and frankly, put up with a lot to keep the paychecks rolling in. They often are forced to work side-by-side with those who see being on TV as a giggle-fest giving them an easy route to one day become an internet "influencer"

Case in point: This TV local news "professional anchor" who was so giddy at being on screen she felt the need to break out a BIG SMILE and wave "bye bye" to the viewers.

Good practice for her next gig touting hand cream on Tik Tok.

If you’re ever in the mood for a good laugh—or just to feel vaguely concerned about the state of journalism—there’s nothing quite like tuning in to your local television news. That delightful mix of weather forecasts, crime reports, and hard-hitting investigative pieces on why your town's library still uses paper books. Local news has become the unsung hero of unintentional comedy. And yet, as much as it can provide a chuckle, it should always, without exception, be questioned. Because let’s face it: local TV news is often a confusing cocktail of questionable priorities, amateur dramatics, and sensationalism designed to keep your grandparents watching.

Here’s why local television news in certain markets and run by certain ownership groups is a performance filled with bad actors, bad writing, and lacking in any real journalistic intent—and why you should never take it too seriously.

1. Breaking News: We've got video so it must be important.

Let’s talk about the "breaking news" phenomenon. You know how the phrase is supposed to indicate something critical, urgent, and life-altering? Well, on local news, everything is breaking news. BREAKING NEWS: There's a half mile long backup on the Interstate! “Let’s go live to our reporter on the scene where… nothing’s really happening, and we'll just show you the same pictures over and over again of cars going nowhere.” The urgency with which local news anchors deliver stories like these is nothing short of impressive. It’s as if every minor event is on par with a global crisis. Then again, it's what they're told to do and instructed on how to hype nothing into something.

They’ve got to fill the time somehow. Because let’s be honest: not every day in [Insert your city here] is full of intrigue and scandal. So instead, we get the hard-hitting stuff. You know, like the aforementioned cat-in-tree situation or an in-depth segment on the mysterious “bump in the road” reported by local drivers. “What caused it? Is the city doing anything about it? We’ll spend the next 15 minutes investigating this absolute travesty while your house might be on fire and we’ll report on that later.”

2. The Weather Report: Where Fiction Meets Science.

Is there any greater art form than the local weather report? These meteorologists have mastered the ability to look directly into the camera and deliver a forecast with absolute confidence, despite being wrong more often than not. The 7-day forecast might as well be a list of lottery numbers. Yet, they’ll stand there, pointing at a green screen, grinning like they’ve cracked the Da Vinci Code of meteorology, when in reality, they’re just praying that the computer model isn’t lying again.

Who doesn’t love the way they spice things up with buzzwords like “Polar Vortex” or “Snowmageddon” when what they actually mean is, “It might snow a little, or it might not. We have no idea, but stay tuned for updates!” Heaven forbid they just say, “We’re not sure, maybe just pack an umbrella and hope for the best.” But where’s the drama in that? So they’ll spin a 50% chance of rain into a storm of biblical proportions. And when nothing happens, it’s conveniently forgotten by the next day.

3. Crime Reports: The Perfect Blend of Fear and Sensationalism.

Nothing gets those Nielsen ratings up quite like scaring the bejeezus out of viewers with the latest in criminal activity. "Lock your doors, folks, because last night someone took three Snickers bars from a gas station." Cue the dramatic music and ominous voiceover. They’ll act like every misdemeanor is part of a wave of terror sweeping through your quiet little town. The suspect could be a raccoon caught stealing trash, and local news would still spin it into a dangerous animal on the loose narrative.

It’s always delivered with that same breathless intensity, too. The kind where you’re not sure if you should be worried about getting mugged while taking out the trash or if you should laugh because the entire news team is wearing matching “local news panic” expressions. Either way, they’ll always find a way to make you feel like you’re living in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, even if the most dangerous thing in your neighborhood is that one guy who doesn’t mow his lawn.

4. Investigative Reporting: Exposing the Dark Underbelly of… the Farmers Market?

Then, there’s the hard-hitting investigative reporting, which is just local news' way of pretending they’re "60 Minutes". Instead of exposing political corruption or corporate malfeasance, they’re chasing down the gritty, world-altering stories like why the city council hasn’t repainted the lines on Elm Street. Or better yet, an exposé on the questionable quality of the hot dogs being sold at the county fair.

They’ll send their most “intrepid” reporter to grill (pun intended) the hot dog vendor about his questionable meat sourcing, as if they’ve uncovered a deep conspiracy. Meanwhile, real problems go under the radar because, apparently, the hot dog scandal is what matters to the community. I’m sure Woodward and Bernstein would be proud.

5. The Anchors: Trying Their Best to Look Professional While Holding Back Laughter

Local news anchors deserve their own comedy awards for the sheer volume of ridiculousness they have to report with a straight face. You can almost see the pain in their eyes as they attempt to look concerned while announcing that the town’s annual Corn Maze Extravaganza has been canceled due to inclement weather. But it’s not just the stories; it’s also the awkward transitions. “And now to Jennifer with the latest on the devastating house fire, but first—let’s check in with Todd to see how the pancake breakfast fundraiser went!”

The jarring switch between life-and-death scenarios and fluff pieces about the local bake sale would be impressive if it weren’t so unintentionally hilarious.

Question Everything, Especially Local News

The thing about local television news is that while it often provides comedy gold, it also reminds us of one crucial point: you should always question what you’re watching. The sensationalism, the skewed priorities, and the sometimes blatant over-dramatization of the mundane should never be taken at face value. Local news has a place, sure, but trusting it blindly would be like trusting your horoscope to tell you how to invest your life savings. You might get lucky, but most likely, you’ll just end up confused and questioning your life choices.

So the next time you hear "BREAKING NEWS" from your local news station, go ahead and raise an eyebrow—but also ask yourself: is the world really ending, or is the Interstate backed up again?

Read more of Ed Berliner's commentaries on the email newsletters "Shakedown Street" and "The Business Beagle", both of which can be subscribed to here on his website. Contact Ed to be a guest speaker and lecturer at your event, choosing from the myriad of topics he writes about.