Another useful tool is a livestream of the LA County Fire two-way radio main channel:
When you start the livestream the clock starts incrementing. Obviously there is not always traffic on there (like on the back of the clock) but I have heard Heli’s and Retardant Bombers talking to fire control during daylight.
Pretty much the norm now with most major events. I remember the Trump Shooting, within minutes socials had a fake ID going around with a AI bloodied shot from the scene saying person x was the shooter, an Ukraine citizen. It got momentum and was all over socials.
Need to be mindful what you read when these big stories come out.
Pretty much the saving grace of the traditional 6pm news really.
At least by the time the story goes to air at 6pm they pretty much know the correct information (if the news isn’t breaking during the bulletin that is).
You know you’re not going to get all the social media spread incorrect information by watching the news, old school.
Some still have bad habits however, Seven especially in recent years are been too quick to report without fact checking.
That Perth Seaplane accident was a good example. A few 6pm bulletins didn’t fact check and kept reporting the aircraft was only a week old. No, it was re registered a week ago from the previous operator and was many years old. That then drives a narrative that a new aircraft crashed and starts going down blame the manufacturer path.
Too many are way to focused on being first to market.
10 with an exclusive of a mother who lost her Australian citizen son in the fires. Dan Sutton filed the interview via zoom.
A extra long report from Katherine Firikin. She did an outstanding job with some good news gathering from the fire zone.
Level of detail and insight much improved with a reporter on the ground.
Australian citizen Rory Callum Sykes was killed in the LA firestorm. His mother tells @10NewsFirst she believes a lack of water and 9-1-1 failures contributed to her son’s death. My report 👇🏻 #lafires https://t.co/yWFUULllUw
— Daniel Sutton (@danielsutton10) January 11, 2025
Nine featured 10’s interview
Seven
Massive exclusive there for 10 given the coverage on these fires.
Truly harrowing scenes.
Pretty good to get an exclusive from Australia
Only issue is nobody watches 10.
Story was picked up by ABC News online and credited 10 for quotes from the mother.
The nine papers have yet to pick up the story. Not sure about News Corp as I don’t read that source.
Former US correspondent Ashlee Mullany is on the ground in LA.
Today featured an interview with Rory Sykes mother this morning
Sunrise had the social media post and referred to the story as breaking news.
The CBS coverage has been outstanding. Specifically KCAL doing non-stop coverage and all live.
Crossing to The Desk for map updates has been really informative.
ABC interviews mother as well.
Authorities say in addition to death toll of 16, there are people missing.
Can it really be an exclusive if she spoke with 10 first and they broke the story?
This whole thing is just so off.
