Flash... Broken News!!!

Dear Congressman,

Here in the good old US of A, the cable news channels (CNN, MSNBC, FOX News), the major television networks (ABC, CBS, NBC & FOX) and their local affiliates have all fallen under the spell of the "Breaking News" craze. In a nutshell, when they all begin a news broadcast, the over-made up newscaster (male or female... makes no difference) in 8 out of 10 broadcast start with the following line:

"Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening, I'm John/Jane Doe and here are today's headlines. But first, we have a breaking news story from....."

And what is so important that you have to delay telling me about the latest events in the Iranian election or a flash flood that injured 20 in Texas?

"There is a report of a house fire currently burning in Lower Price Hill. We currently have a news team on the way and will bring you more information as this story develops."

A house fire? Really?

Now, between you and me, this normally is a tragedy for the family that lives in the house and loses all their possession, possibly a pet, and hopefully not a family member. But until you actually have some news that it is something other than smoldering attic or a garage fire, I personally would rather here about the Texas flood or the Iranian elections first.

I realize the news business is a dog-eat-dog, get to the story first or your die on the vine business, however at some point you might want to ask your customers what they would like to see, rather than running that "BREAKING NEWS" headline every 30 seconds.

But hey, maybe it's just me....