Editorial by Matt Marquardt –
Today your local media sunk to the lowest depths I have ever witnessed.
KIMT, The Globe Gazette and other regional news outlets camped outside Gretchen Crooks’ funeral this afternoon. They pitched a tent right off of Delaware Avenue across from First Congregational United Church of Christ, hooked up audio feeds and pointed cameras and interviewed mourners. They went inside the church to get a close-up view of their story and write about the horror and sadness of family and friends of Gretchen.
These news outlets have taken a terrible tragedy and sensationalized it. They have taken a 13-year-old boy’s name and picture and plastered it all over their news stories. They have written about and elaborated on charges brought against this child. He has had zero chance to defend himself. Forget about juvenile charges, the media has made sure everyone knows it was him.
I do not often get personal here on NIT. But today I will. I am disgusted by these people. I am disgusted by the media trying this boy before he is even given a chance to defend himself. I am disgusted by the media showing up at this funeral, a funeral for a person that has suffered the worst end imaginable. The media fed on this funeral today like vultures, to sensationalize this tragedy and score viewers and readers.
Gretchen was not a fallen war hero nor an assassinated President; she was simply a decent person who met a terrible death. The news media did not need to be here today. As one man who walked by so eloquently said: this is “dirty laundry.”
I was so disgusted after KIMT invited NIT to participate, that I decided to go and do a story on the media itself. I watched the watchers.
I pointed my camera at THEM and I fired some tough questions. I wasn’t nice about it. They called the police on me. I didn’t leave.
Please watch the video below and let me warn you, it isn’t pretty.
235 thoughts on “Editorial: Watching the watchers”
and then sent my email that I wrote regarding that point to Mr. Skarlis?
Steve Shurtz: Do not equate the smearing of children with grown men accused and arrested of serious crimes. It won’t fly here.
Mr. Marquardt:
You stated, “I am disgusted by the media trying this boy before he is even given a chance to defend himself.” ~ Is that not what you did to the Behms?
Whats up DOC???
I have known Matt and his family for half my life. He is a good person doing a great job for the community that he grew up in. He went to school with Gretchen. Mabey he was pissed about the way the media was dealing with the whole tragic incident. If she was my sister or close friend, I would punch them.
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Matt,
While I agree with you regarding the inappropriateness of KIMT filming the funeral, I think you handled this in a very unprofessional manner which may initially get you hits to your website through sensationalism, but will eventually cause you to lose viewers. My competition also conducts business in a poor manner every day. This causes me to want to rise above their performance, perform better, service my customers in a better manner, and be more professional. No matter how poor of a decision they made, I would never go to such lengths as you did. I visit North Iowa Today, every day because it brings the true uncensored story to the public. This time, I think you should have censored yourself as I feel I am taking more care writing my response than you did in your video. The owner of North Iowa today, bashing and antagonizing his competition using words like freaking, sad ass, comparing garbage cans to their work on a 15 minute posted video, really? Honestly, I think you’ve hit a low point and an apology for your actions to your readers are needed. I’d really expect more from a 38 year old man who was really starting to bring down the other media by just doing what he does well, while they continue to fail. I would be disappointed in my teenager for conducting himself in such a manner regardless of the situation. I’m not saying what KIMT did was right, but you weren’t exactly right either. I would rather see you rise above and report about it, but not become part of the circus. Best of luck to ya cause you just lost my views, page counts, click-throughs, and support.
you have NO IDEA my deepest sympathy for your loss. Very well said, what if the story was about their family member? Oh thats off limits. The globe and kmit do not care if they tell the truth they just want the story and if the story isn’t juicy enough they have to add to it. It doesn’t matter if its the truth. Shame on them for destroying lives.
First off this is to Kay~
There at the request of the family, I call BULLSHIT! When you are grieving a loved one family DO NOT want it plastered all over the media! THIS INCLUDES SOLDIERS!!! My brother died a horrible death at a young age and KIMT was all over it within hours, you wanna know how I found out about his death? 8hrs after it happened. EVERYONE else knew it before I was officially told. As soon as my mom told the sheriff that everyone was FINALLY told, within MINUTES KIMT had his name PLASTERED all of over that channel. Not only was it plastered interviews with people who had supposedly KNOWN my brother were broadcasted at the 5pm broadcast, know what time those interviews were conducted? at 2pm, hour and half BEFORE I found out. why did it take so long for me to be told? THAT is even a longer story. YOUR media was all over this town until his funeral and had the balls and gull to ask if it was OK to interview people who attended he funeral. Reported got an earful from me and they quietly packed their crap and left. WE do NOT want you at our family mournings. YES it was a tragic thing that has had happened, just like EVERY news outlet said, name of suspect in custody is kept under wraps due to him being a minor and in the next paragraph “IT was reported it was her 13yr old son (insert name here)”. DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVERY single one of you in the media should be slapped upside the damn head for your misinterpretation of that email. ANYONE can see and read between the lines of “WE dont want you there but we cant stop you from being there SINCE it is public place but IF you HAVE to be there to get your lame ass story of people crying over our family, go across the street and stay quiet”. Worst than the Westboro baptist. Now onto a soldiers funeral, YES they died in combat, YES he is a hero, but guess what? THAT hero that you have plastered all over the place also wants to be LEFT IN PEACE along with their family. SO bugger off and let us mourn. Go do a story about relay for life, or Organ donaation or do a story about a graduate who made it against all the odds to get their diploma. Better yet, follow up on your stories “your putting together and your comment maybe used later in a broadcast” that is posted on all the mediafacebook, twitter, pages…OR here is a new one, follow up on the dr who was hired by mercy that got busted for not registering as a baby raper and where he is TRYING to get a job here in iowa in the Ankeney/Des Moines area. Now THAT is newsworthy. Not how people feel after a funeral. Anymore KIMT has gone to crap for stories and are grasping at straws.
“Go do a story about relay for life, or Organ donaation or do a story about a graduate who made it against all the odds to get their diploma. Better yet, follow up on your stories”
You won’t find much of that on this site either, expecially the latter. Not that we havent been asking for it.
I’m sorry for your loss, you have NO IDEA. I’m sorry you had to hear about it long after it happened, and I understand your pain. That being said, you do admit that the reporter packed up and left after you told them you most certainly did NOT want them there. I totally understand why, and am grateful that they respected your wishes.
Before anyone jumps on me, I speak from experience. Two of my family members were murdered in a convenience store several years ago. It was a tragedy like none other. I have lived this life.
I still believe it is the public’s right to know, whether it’s about safety, compassion, assistance in solving the crime… Whatever the reason, people feel moved by these stories, and they absolutely can be life-changers.
So, JWF, my family was NOT off-limits during this dark, dark time in our lives. We took the HUNDREDSof news stories for what they were: Morbid curiosity, a wish to provide comfort to a stranger through cards and letters, or just another reason to appreciate the relatively peaceful life you’re blessed to have.
I’ve shared my views. I’m done.
Until you know the facts, it’s best to keep your emotions — and accusations — in check.
yes kay, we should all be forced to chase away arrogant annoying reporters like you. sounds like you have experience in being chased away. hopefully you werent lying when you said you are relly going away this time.
Kay: you should not assume that all news media will be as nice and kind as you try to imply. like JWF stated “they just want the story and if the story isn’t juicy enough they have to add to it. It doesn’t matter if its the truth”. yes he/she was talking about the globe or KIMT. but the statement holds true for many other companies. some people even say that about NIT. I am familiar with what happened to a friend of mine that was murdered in waterloo. he moonlighted at an adult bookstore to make extra money. the news media asked people/his friends about his life. they wouldnt listen to or report on what they wanted to tell the news companies. they kept wanting to hear more about working at the adult bookstore. they never reported that he was a machinist by trade, and was only moonlighting that night for extra money. He was working to keep himself off government aid. and what does the news media do smear his name. this is just one incident of what i assume to be many. and YES we should comment on what we know to be true.
Fact is, Media was where they werent welcomed.
Fact is, YOU are trying to defend your actions and others by back peddaling (sp?),
Fact is, YOU and everyone else knew EXACTLY what that email said. now your TRYING to cover your arse by blaming others about actions that YOU yourself did.
Fact is, We are a “small state” that if you know one person you know EVERYONE and their business. THIS includes murders, trials and everything good too.
I could think of better things to do rather sit and harass, yes i said it, HARASS huring people over a tragic loss. Now, I want news media to cover EVERY single funeral and ask EVERY single griever to do an interview just to make it fair to others.
Oh, and another thing? WE do not like to be talked down upon, we are Iowans and are full aware and can read into the bullshit replies and actual meanings in your actions.
YOU WERE NOT INVITED!!! compare you to the westboro baptist, your not welcome and your lucky you have the to law do what you did and you can use that excuse for everything. YOU and other medias shouldve known better out of the respect for the families YOU were morally wrong and you know damn well im right. what happened to morals and standards? not greed
Amen. This woman is completely insensitive to your loss and the loss of the families.
“Kay is a liar and probably works at KIMT. I never said any such thing (KIMT invited me, I have the email to prove it). Most of the detractors on here are liars, and they typically hurl insults before making any real points. I do appreciate the dozens of real supporters who have contacted me, they out number impostors like Kay 4 to 1.”
I stand corrected about who invited you. The (real?) media, however, WAS invited. I’ve seen the emails. Maybe this is all because you’re angry that you weren’t invited originally?
Calling me a liar? That’s a little harsh and defensive, don’t you think? An impostor? How am I being an impostor? I’m using my real name and being respectful about stating my opinion ~ not lashing out at people who disagree with me.
I don’t work at KIMT ~ or any other TV station. Never have, never will. I just know nonsense when I see, read and hear it.
The only point you chose to rebut was my (admitted) mistake about who invited you. I guess you can’t defend the indefensible, can you?
You should stand corrected on a lot of things. I did receive the email from the funeral director, which plainly states the media must set up across the street. That’s not an invitation, that is an UNvitation. It also says “No interviews with the family will be allowed.” Yet KAAL clearly interviewed people outside the church.
Secondly, you are not being respectful in stating your opinion. You admit you were not there, you don’t work for the media, but you claim to see private emails only the media received. You are shaky at best, and possibly angry because you perhaps WERE there that day and I called you out. I really feel sorry for you, coming to NIT every day to debate me and then getting picked apart.
Defend this, Kay: High Definition cameras outside a church to zoom in on people crying. Very sad to see you condone this behavior.
I’m not angry, just puzzled by your continued insults in order to mask your own behavior.
“…the media must set up across the street.” While not an “invitation” in the truest sense, it’s hardly a preventive measure: Actually TELLING them where to set up implies consent, as opposed to requesting that they stay away.
The fact that you don’t agree with my opinion hardly makes me disrespectful. “Private emails only the media received”? “Private” and “emails” are practically an oxymoron. Don’t tell me you’ve never shared an email with someone; people forward things all day long.
Though the funeral director requested they do no interviews with the family, you don’t actually know how that interview was set up, do you? If a family member chooses to speak to the media, that’s his or her choice. The funeral director tells the media what to do; they don’t direct the family members.
High-definition cameras? That’s what they’re for: To tell the story without sticking a camera or microphone in someone’s face. Did the funeral director order no cameras, too?
I said I didn’t work for KIMT or any other TV stations; I didn’t say “media.” You’re not calling anyone out; you’ve hardly “picked me apart.”
Name-calling and bullying STILL don’t work.
Well Kay you are here on NIT all day long seems like. Does your “media” bosses know you spend so much time here? I am flattered.
So now you say the media must be PREVENTED from showing up. I think you will frighten people with that admission.
You now also admit that your media shares their emails with anyone they choose. No privacy at your place of business, Kay? What media do you work for, so we know not to communicate with it?
I saw KAAL approach people on the sidewalk. They are from out of town. How would they know who is family and who is not. You make no sense.
Again you defend the cams zooming in on people’s grief. Kay you are making this too easy.
Yes, Matt, that’s exactly what I’m saying. If you don’t want the media there ~ and it’s not public property, you must tell them that.
Surely, being in the “news” business yourself, you can understand that. You were there, too, remember?
Not quite sure where I said my media shares emails. Could you point that out?
Once again, actual media members ~ even those from “out of town,” do some homework, learn who people are, and speak with them. Did you also see the KAAL people holding guns or knives, to force those people to speak to them? Your disgust is misdirected, I think.
Don’t flatter yourself, Matt. This is the second day I’ve been to your site, and it’s my lunch hour. Somebody has to point out your double-standards, whether you like it or not.
Matt, this proves the other so-called media in this town are on NIT all the time, they can’t get enough. You are doing a hell of a job, you have a dedicated reader here.
is this the weather girl, for kimt?
she said that she didnt work for a tv station but obviously another media. And boy am I glad im not married to Kay. I get bitched at enough being single.
Matt, I understand that by covering the media you are trying to make a point that they are in the wrong, but most of these people are just there doing their jobs. Are they not given assignments to follow for the most part? The cameraman from Rochester certainly did not choose to drive to Mason City to cover a funeral? I think your emotions were aimed at the wrong people. You should be asking to interview the person/people who sent that cameraman to Mason City. (I know the globe and KIMT will not answer your requests)
You did not accomplish anything by being there. If anything, you made it more of a spectacle than it was. The media is not going to change their approach because you stood on the sidewalk and questioned their morals. You may have generated some hits for you site, but this in no way is a game changer. Keep the good fight going though.
Appreciate the point you are making. Have a great day and thanks for visiting NIT.
Just for the record, here are the latest Iowa broadcaster job openings.
(Source: http://www.iowabroadcasters.com/index.php?q=node/36)
TV Achor/Producer – KIMT-TV (CBS) is seeking an anchor/producer for our two-hour DayBreak newscast. This position is responsible for working overnight to write, produce and edit the DayBreak newscast. This includes, but is not limited to, stacking rundowns, monitoring police scanners, making beat calls, posting to the web/social media, shooting breaking news and some reporting duties during sweeps. We’re looking for an energetic, organized, self-motivated and detail-oriented journalist that possesses strong leadership skills. An ability to work independently, as well as on a team, is a must. The ideal candidate will thrive under pressure and, with others, will develop and execute compelling and informative newscasts. Applicants must have either a four-year degree in Broadcast Journalism or Broadcast Communications and must have good on-air performance, communication skills and excellent news judgment and writing skills. One to two years of previous producing, reporting or anchoring experience is preferred. Please send DVD with cover letter and resume to: KIMT-TV (CBS), Attn: Business Office Coodinator, PO Box 620, Mason City, IA 50402 or by emal to: hr@kimt.com Any offer of employment is contingent upon successfully passing a substance abuse test and a background screening. Successful candidate must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. KIMT-TV is an EOE M/F D/V.
That position is opening up because Jenna Lee is leaving after her contract is up in…. June? I think? As for the rest of it, yeah, common stuff to be posted about what they are looking for.
She must be the one I overheard at a local bar recently that said “I am outta this shitty town, I can’t wait till my last day” which others there have been overheard to say many times
Jenna Lee leaving? That figures. Only anchor-babe at KIMT I can stand to look at. She’s delicious.
While I am often the first to criticize how the media reacts to things, I find YOUR video appalling.
Primarily, you’re a bully. You weren’t there to portray an unfair scene, you were there to bully and harass people doing their jobs.
You’re also woefully unprofessional. “Man,” “freaking,” “dude;” do you actually think anybody takes you seriously? If so, they’re as immature as you appear to be.
You fall all over the passerby who admittedly was only going to the funeral “because my pastor is speaking.” Where was your attack on him? That was obviously simply morbid curiosity on his part — why didn’t you call him out on it? Because it didn’t fit your agenda?
Your rant appears far more disruptive to the surroundings that any of the media who kept a respectful distance and didn’t appear to be intruding on the event.
You, however, were yelling and carrying on as mourners — right out of the funeral — walked past! What do you think they’ll remember from that? The quiet reporters and cameramen, or the guy yelling at them like a grade-school bully?
And whether you like it or not, your presence was also capitalizing on the event. If the whole situation wasn’t news, why were you even there? Take a look at some of the numbers of readers and viewers, and you’ll see it WAS something people were interested in.
If you think you’re rising above it all, feel free to stop publishing anything negative — including car crashes, robberies, fires, etc. When you’re all about only the “good” news, THEN you can complain.
Otherwise, you’re no better than the people you tried to humiliate.
Appreciate the insults… wow you won the debate now. I see you have stooped to picking on the old man who outed you on your DIRTY LAUNDRY story. Where was a passerby to support you that day? There wasn’t one.
First, I wasn’t there, so I’m not sure what you’re talking about.
Second, that man wasn’t supporting you. He certainly didn’t applaud what you were doing, nor did he thank you for it. I’m not stooping to anything: I’m repeating what he said to you. And outing anyone? I didn’t actually see anyone hiding that day in your video or on the TV coverage ~ except you, behind your video camera and bullying ways, apparently designed to mask the fact that you were doing the same thing: Covering a funeral. How many times did YOU mention the 13-year-old? Twenty?
No debate here. Answer the questions honestly, and you’ll see there’s no arguing with those facts.
The man shook my hand twice. He said DIRTY LAUNDRY and motioned to the TV and newspaper crews. What more do you want Kay? Why are you so angry? It’s a beautiful day. Please take your med’s and relax.