Media awareness

Now, I bet you're sitting there, just pondering the small, but important, differences between the different types of media.

Riiiiight. No one cares about the media, except for media members. Think of it this way: Who cares what lawyers talk about except for lawyers?

When it comes to the disseminating media, though, there are small, but important, aspects that should be understood. After all, where do you turn to to get your news? The media, that's where.

Traditionally, the best forms of media are print and radio, as, combined with their long, reputable histories, both offer good, in-depth reporting. Television can also do a good job, but, more often than not, TV's version of news is a 30-second soundbyte. Call it flash over substance, though TV can certainly outdo print and radio when it certainly decides to. Sadly, though, those times seem to be fewer despite more channels than ever.

Print's downside is that its news package comes out one day after the news has happened, which can make it seem old in today's world of news-by-the-minute. Print's upside: the largest editorial staff in the media, which results in a lot of news.

Radio's upside: Immediate news. Like, right now immediate. Radio's downside, at least when it comes to sports, is objectivity, mainly due to financial broadcasting contracts with sports teams. Below is a good and terrible example of that. Good, because it underscores this point; bad because it shows terrible decision making.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas radio personality announced that she was fired Monday, two days after wearing a Florida Gators hat to an Arkansas Hogs news conference.

Renee Gork announced on Twitter that she had been fired by KAKS, a northwest Arkansas radio station that calls itself Hog Sports Radio. Gork had worn a Gator hat Saturday to a news conference with Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino.

Petrino, whose team lost to the Gators last season 23-20 at Florida, commented on Gork’s hat after answering a question she asked. “And that will be the last question I answer with that hat on,” Petrino said.

Gork, a Florida graduate, said she grabbed the hat without thinking Saturday because it was raining outside. She also said she sent a letter of apology to the university and Petrino.

“Was hoping to publicly apologize to coach Petrino and UA fans on the show today ... but I won’t get that chance,” Gork wrote on KAKS’ Twitter account. “I’ve been fired.”

Gork could not be reached Monday for comment. There was no telephone listing in her name in the Fayetteville area.

KAKS general manager Dan Storrs confirmed in a telephone interview with The Associated Press that Gork was no longer working for the station but declined to comment further, saying it was a personnel matter.

However, he added, “This radio station is Hog Sports Radio. We are very biased. We support the Razorbacks 100 per cent.”