KCRA & the Safeway Meat Scandal (4)
There was clearly a lot more to the story than accusations by a congressman who most journalists knew wanted to start getting his name in the news to launch a gubernatorial campaign. We would need a "package" just to present all the charges. We would also need to film a reaction from Safeway.
I went to Pete Langlois' desk to see when a cameraman would be available. The story and I got our first splash of cold water there.
Pete allowed as how, yeah, it was an interesting story, but he wasn't sure we would be airing too much of it. Safeway was pretty big potatoes, after all...
He said that all decisions on what we would broadcast were being made at the top. Paul Thompson, our news director, would huddle with the director of news and public affairs, the station managers, and the owners.
Pete smiled wryly. Maybe it was better that way, he said. At least neither of our heads would be on the block the next morning.
Pete guessed that we'd probably end up airing a quick sound cut of Waldie and a reply from Safeway, then move on to other stories.
It was an uncomfortable situation for everyone.
