Two noteworthy media efforts hit the airwaves this week, on public TV and radio, proving the continuing worth of local reporting.
At a time when staffs and budgets have been cut, it would be easy to plug into the feed from the networks — in this case PBS and National Public Radio — sit back, and whine about the demise of journalism.
Instead, these projects showcase the value of a paid reporting staff with journalistic credentials at a local public radio station, and an individual’s effort with an international aid group, with support from a local public TV station.
Despite financial difficulties, these stations are still producing quality fare, making the most of portable and versatile digital equipment.
The two:
• Tamara Banks’ latest documentary on Sudan, “Long Journey Home,” is a follow-up to her Emmy-nominated work from last year. The film is slated for 9 p.m. Wednesday on KBDI-Channel 12.
• KCFR’s “Colorado Matters” offers “A Day in the Life of the Governor,” with unusual access to Gov. Bill Ritter, on Friday in “Morning Edition” and at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Of the pair, the CPR reporting is significantly more straightforward and objective. Banks allows herself to be emotional in her first-person account in a project undertaken with help from Denver- area religious charitable organizations.
Banks, host of “Studio 12” on KBDI and Denver’s “Issues and Options” on Channel 8, is a veteran of KWGN-Channel 2. She continues to blend social activism with journalism in a career that straddles the divide.
Banks’ film on Channel 12 is the result of her second trip to Sudan and its Darfur region. Last summer, she reported on the work of a humanitarian group, Christian Solidarity International, “21st century abolitionists” who liberated 106 men and boy slaves and returned them to their communities in southern Sudan.
She follows up with this short film that focuses again on the slaves still held captive by the Arab Muslim extremists in the north, and the abolitionists working to free them.
The crimes against humanity are shocking (2 million southern Sudanese killed, 4 million displaced from 1983 to 1995) so the narration didn’t need to be overwritten (“These eyes are windows into souls that tell a story difficult to put into words” and “Each story clings to me like a heavy cloak of sadness and despair”).
She continues to bring the details of genocide and slavery home to Colorado viewers. The documentary has its debut on Channel 12 before being shown at film festivals nationally.
The Ritter report airing Friday is more a traditional, journalistic production.
How can you tell when a politician is officially running for re-election? He invites the press to tag along.
KCFR’s Ritter-fest, hosted by Ryan Warner, features Warner and host/producer Dan Meyers trailing the governor across the state.
The audio diary includes Ritter signing legislation in downtown Denver; a speaking engagement at a children’s welfare conference in Keystone; a quick flight to Montrose to take questions from local officials, sign bills, and meet Democratic supporters; and the usual back-and-forth with staff.
More interesting than the planned public appearances are the offhand comments that aim to “reveal the inner workings of Ritter’s hectic schedule as the governor consults with his staff, fields calls and e-mails, and prepares for speeches.”
“Mad Men” date.
They’ve been coy about the date, but AMC now says the third-season premiere of “Mad Men” will be on Sunday, Aug. 16. A marathon rerun of the 13 episodes from Season 2 is slated that day, leading up to the prime-time premiere.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
