CBS4 is hoping to gain traction by launching a new editorial unit, “4 On Your Side,” with four dedicated reporters pursuing advocacy journalism.
The heavily promoted initiative will launch tonight (at the start of the February sweeps) within the 10 p.m. newscast on KCNC-Channel 4, and is expected to appear four nights a week and also at 5 p.m.
The foursome — Brian Maass, Rick Sallinger, Jodi Brooks and Suzanne McCaroll — are assigned to the unit fulltime, along with two dedicated photographers and two dedicated producers.
“It’s not a strictly investigative unit,” said CBS4 News Director Tim Wieland. The focus will be consumer issues, money-saving ideas, stories of taxpayer waste and other reports intended to provide a benefit to viewers.
“We get a significant number of tips on this subject,” Wieland said.
No additional staff positions will be created; producers have been reassigned from other areas.
The competition in this area locally is also in transition, with stations showing varying allegiance to the pure investigative style.
Channel 7’s multiple award-winning “Call7” investigative team lost Tony Kovaleski to NBC’s Bay Area station KNTV last year and is in the process of hiring a replacement. “Investigative is what we do,” new director Jeff Harris says.
Channel 9″s “9 Wants to Know” lost Deborah Sherman last year and hired Jeremy Jojola from Albuquerque.
All will aim to impress viewers during February, a sweeps month when local ratings are measured to set future advertising rates.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
