NewsChannel 5 in best position to take Press lead role for print and video journalism in Tennessee

A recent recommendation to the Pultizer Prize committee asked that simply all journalism -- TV, print and Internet -- be awarded the most coveted award in journalism.

But the same dinosaurs who have brought the nation the decline in the print Press will reject that honest and needed recommendation. But in an increasing number of media markets around the nation, it is television news that is public watchdog and most credible source of information.

That truth is particularly the case in Middle Tennessee and in Nashville, and most specifically with NewsChannel 5. From Phil Williams' reports (he is the best journalist in Tennessee), to a host of other reporters who break other big stories while the other news stations are following the police scanner, to the superior community-based programs produced by the great Cherilyn Crowe, the CBS affiliate is far and above the best journalism machine in the Midstate.

CNN recently unveiled its print product to newspapers and other media. It has the name to replace AP in some media outlets, and at a lower price. NewsChannel 5 has the same credibility here.

And there are a lot of former Tennessean journalists such as myself who would be willing to work on a contract basis to help NewsChannel 5 serve the public even more. Remember, Williams is a former print journalist, too. Larry Britton on Channel 4 is a former Banner reporter.

Some of us are not too ugly to appear on TV or write a blog for the station's web presence. And we have all our sources built over 12 or more years. We can feed breaking news and enterprise packages. I'd love to host a local media show to explain to the public why things were covered by the media a certain way, the decision making process or lack thereof involved and what issues or angles need to be covered.

I'm a former editor and columnist. I've been in Tennessean news meetings and editorial board meetings. I've been to Corporate Gannett twice to be made into something bigger. I know what makes the media here go and what makes it falter. And readers really want to know, at least from questions they ask me at the grocery store, mall and church.

For now, I am most grateful to NewsChannel 5 for the superior source of information it is and the public, watchdog service it provides. Amid adversity such as with The Tennessean layoffs, there is rich opportunity. More Tennessean and Gannett layoffs are expected in February.

I hope the station considers this friendly advice, not for myself, but the public it so richly serves.