New England Cable News (NECN), the regional all-news cable outlet, plans to air a story next week "exposing" flaws in security at GA airports. AOPA's media relations staff spoke with the story's producer on at least two occasions, but NECN told them that because it's a regional outlet, the channel preferred only to broadcast local interviews rather than talk to a national organization like AOPA. According to AOPA members who have seen them, the promos that have aired all week leading up to Tuesday's show indicate that the story will involve the type of scare-tactic journalism that's become all too common in reports on GA airport security issues. But sometimes the promos are far worse than the reports themselves, so we urge you, after you see the story, to politely let NECN know what you think of its reporting, especially if it is good, but even if it is bad. NECN's viewer comment e-mail address is [email protected].
September 16, 2005