2 Milwaukee Stations Stop Live Shots After WDBJ Tragedy

By Kevin Eck 

Milwaukee TV stations WTMJ and WISN stopped using live shots yesterday after the WDBJ shootings.

Milwaukee media writer Duane Dudek writes the stations would consider going live if needed during breaking news.

“Our team members know that if they feel unsafe to leave their assignment immediately,” WISN news director Chris Gegg told Dudek. “But we also realize, as today’s shooting shows, violence can occur anywhere without warning.”

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“Out of an abundance of caution we are not planning any discretionary live field reports from the field today,” WTMJ-TV (Channel 4) news director Janet Hundley wrote in a memo to the newsroom.

“If there is breaking news we will discuss our options,” she wrote.

“As always be mindful” and “come to us with any concerns.”

WISN-TV (Channel 12) is also suspending live reports today “out of caution, and sensitivity to our employees,” said news director Chris Gegg in an email.

The station is also making counseling available “for anyone on our team if they need assistance,” Gegg said.

WITI-TV general manager Chuck Steinmetz said in a statement:

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire staff of WDBJ-TV in Roanoke. Our industry is much like a family and every FOX 6 employee feels the loss and sympathizes with all involved.”

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