We here that phrase a lot in Atlanta. WSB Radio has breaking news all the time. Before I moved to the Atlanta Area breaking news meant, first and foremost, important news; and to a slightly less extent, happening now.
I've lived here three years and still expect to hear something terrible when WSB says breaking news. It brings up memories of President Reagan getting shot, Columbine, September eleventh, the earthquake in Haiti, the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. Something that will keep you glued to the TV or radio all day.
Not so with WSB. This morning the breaking news was a few fire fighters slipped in some water while putting out an escalator fire at the airport. I am not making this up. The fire fighters had already fallen and been taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Where is the new here? WSB concentrated on the fire fighters falling in some water. Fire fighters are around water all the time. If these particular ones fell in water presumable others have done the same. We never heard how the escalator fire got started. The photographer in me would have loved to see pictures of a burning escalator.
The most common breaking news around here is traffic. A traffic jam may have materialized out of nowhere but this is not news; this is a traffic report. I wish they'd learn the difference.
Another type of non breaking news misnamed as breaking is looking for suspects. As in we're looking for the person or persons who smashed the window of the Smith Jones Jewelry store and made off with an undetermined amount of diamond and gold jewelry. We think the incident occurred around three a.m. this morning.
WSB, save the breaking news terminology for news that is important, effects our safety, effects us historically, or is information we need to know NOW. Traffic jams happen every day. It doesn't matter if burlgars are cough before breakfast of after lunch. Report more responsibly, please.
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