It was a day that forever changed Americans, bringing unlikely heroes into the spotlight and uniting strangers in community. WRGB-TV in Albany (Schenectady), N.Y., met the aftermath of the terrorist attacks with swiftness and a hands-on effort that linked its resources with those of its sister stations WLNE (Providence, R.I.) and WPEC (West Palm Beach, Fla.) to bring viewers from New York City and the capital region live, comprehensive coverage.
Within minutes of the attack, anchor Jack Aernecke, photographer Sony Stark and truck operator Bob Ruth were on their way to Manhattan to report on local residents involved in the tragedy, but could go no further than Jersey City, N.J. They met up with the crew from WLNE and were able to get into New York City that evening, sleeping in their cars and the satellite truck. The WPEC crew joined them the next morning. For the next four days the crews shared information and video for stories, the truck for editing and doing live shots, and also their basic equipment, including chairs and WLNE's rain shelter.
"Considering the number of people involved from the three stations, the logistics of working around the wall-to-wall coverage of the networks, and the general tension and stress felt by everyone, the whole arrangement went off almost problem-free," said WRGB News Director Beau Duffy. "There was a real spirit of cooperation among all three news organizations in pulling this off, despite all of the other distractions."
Stories of Success Listing | Table of Contents | 2001 Annual Report | Freedom Communications, Inc.