Viewer's Voice

This week we had a story that struck a nerve: a rap video shot in Carteret County.
   
Some county leaders say it glorifies crime, but the video's maker and some of you deny that.
 
And we heard from Dr. Marcia Thompson, who wants to see more sports coverage from historically black colleges.
 
“As an active viewer of WNCT, I am very concerned that highlights and scores from sports events that involve area historically black colleges and universities are not part of your sports broadcast. WNCT is in the "backyard" of East Carolina University and the broadcast covers those sports events, as it should. Elizabeth City State University, an eastern North Carolina historically black colleges and university is not covered,” says Thompson.
 
“Mr. Bailey gets roughly 2 minutes per newscast to try and cover as many items as possible. Top priority is given to the local sports (ECU, local high schools, etc.), followed by state colleges and universities that have the largest followings. A large part of the problem in airing highlights of historically black colleges and universities in North Carolina is that they are not routinely available on the feeds. I will certainly pass on your email to some of the stations in the markets where those institutions are and request that they cover them,” replies Adam Henning, WNCT News Director.
 
Kathy Stocks asked about our coverage of Hillary Clinton's sniper fire comment.
 
“I like the way you do your shows/news/weather better than any other station in our area. I know you try your best not to show any partiality. However, it did seem that your story leaned more toward Obama than Clinton. With all the places Clinton has visited, making that kind of mistake is certainly understandable,” says Stocks.
 
That's a good point. We covered a local congressman's press conference criticizing Clinton and that was the focus of the story. However, we did make a point to show Obama’s stretching of the truth as well in that story.
 
The story of community leaders being upset about a rapper's video showing a gun and what appeared to be drugs in Carteret County provoked strong response.
 
"I personally know "The Franchise" and he is a good man. He made a video to go along with his song and that's that. He's not out selling drugs or any of that. He has a family and I believe this is just stupid. Do your job and report the news. Don't attack someone for making a fictitious video!!!!"
 
We reported his side of the story too and how he defended his work.  We told you what county leaders were saying about the rap video and what he said to defend it.
 
Thanks to everyone who wrote and called this week for Viewer’s Voice!