Chapter 10

The local news programs for Channel Four were Dan Fagan’s responsibility since most of the other television programming was dictated by the network. Dan had an idea that had him call Burt into his office to discuss.

“I think we need to hire a field reporter who would be an investigative type of reporter rather than someone who is just reporting the news. There are areas we should be digging into to come up with the news rather than just reporting what is going on. Things like tax payer paid trips of politicians, lawbreakers that aren’t being prosecuted, the open southern border ramifications along with Medicare and automobile insurance fraud, are all areas that can be investigated and reported on. Also, since our staff of field reporters is all women, this reporter should be a handsome man. Let’s give our female viewers a reason besides Larry Simon to turn to our channel to watch the news.”

“That is not going to be an easy thing for us to do. We just can’t advertise that we are looking for a field reporter who is a handsome man. If we did that we would find ourselves quickly in a courtroom. Any suggestions on how I go about doing that?”

“Why not use the IPTV you brag about and view the local news programs of those television stations that are in smaller television markets to find someone. It may take you some time to do that and there is no rush to find this reporter. Our news broadcasts are doing fine and I don’t want to fix what isn’t broken. Hiring this guy will give us a backup for Paul just in case something happens to him and we need to replace him.”

“I understand,” said Burt, “and I will get on it.”

Dan Fagan acknowledged that he had a good working relationship with Burt Radisson his news editor. Dan and Burt worked as a team and were successful in increasing the station’s viewership. The new hires along with a change in how the news was delivered were responsible for this increase. Paul Conners’s comments in pointing out that there was a liberal bias in reporting the news at the station was something they tried to eliminate, which also contributed to the viewership increase.

As the television station manager, Dan was required to attend several functions representing the station. This was part of his job that he accepted but he was not a fan of doing it. One thing that did happen at these events was that he would meet several influential business people from the area, both male and female who could help the television station by purchasing advertising time. The money that they paid for putting their commercials on the air was the lifeblood of the station. The number of viewers Channel Four attracted for its programs was a major factor in what was charged for airing commercials.

At the same time, Dan knew because in his position as a television station manager, he would be considered to be an influential person as well. He was aware that his television station in reporting on an individual or organization could make unfavorable comments that would adversely affect that individual or organization. That was somewhat the danger of having an investigative reporter. However, if this reporter’s findings were valid, so be it thought Dan.

One person Dan enjoyed meeting at these affairs was Jill Douglas. Jill was a very attractive lady and was a Vice-President of the largest advertising agency in Austin. Because of her being in that position, Dan wanted to be business friends with her. She besides having good looks also had a nice engaging personality. Jill had recently been in the news because of her divorce which by any stretch of the imagination was not an amiable one. Dan thought it would be in the station’s best interest not to report on what was said as to the court proceedings involving Jill’s divorce.

Jill in meeting Dan at a conference said, “I want to thank you for not reporting on my recent problems. You are the only television station that took a pass on doing that and I appreciate it.”

“There was enough news of what was going on locally and in Washington so we didn’t need to cover your divorce. Are you now officially divorced?”

“Yes, it’s over, and he isn’t getting any alimony from me.”

Dan noticed that Jill stayed by his side and engaged him in conversation throughout the evening. There was no effort on her part to meet with other people there which caused him to wonder a little. He wasn’t complaining, but he was just wondering why that was. The company of a pretty lady on your arm is always something that is welcomed.