inigocia / Depositphotos.com
CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) “I’m glad you were on-the-air yesterday.” That’s what my General Manager said to me after the broadcasts of September 11th 24 years ago.
It was intended as a compliment. One of the things that I’m good at is turning off my emotions, and focusing on the broadcast… even during events that are unimaginably tragic. You might think of that as a skill, or a talent; being able to be a strong, steady voice during incredibly sad stories that are in the news. I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
Consider, over the years I’ve reported on hundreds, maybe thousands, or stories that have involved deaths. I routinely report on fatal car crashes, fires, shootings, drug overdoses. Over the course of my broadcasting career, I can’t remember all of them. To me, they are all part of “the news,” which I report on daily. Yet for family, friends, and loved ones, these are live-changing stories. Someone close to them is gone. Yet, in my mind, these stories are not much different than covering a school board or a city council meeting.
In short, I’m good at my job because I’m desensitized.
I know on the day of 9-11 I spent that entire morning and afternoon onair and in the newsroom. Only when I went home that night did I begin to process what happened on that awful day. The streets were empty as I drove to my home. Some people didn’t make it home that day. Others, afraid, were staying inside.
I should ask for forgiveness for becoming so insensitive. I need a reminder that the things I report on, the things I share behind this microphone, are life-changing for many people who hear them. I part of me is emotionally dead to bad news. And I don’t like that part of me.
Chris Conley
Comments