Rowlett Upset Over ‘Shill’ Accusation
Preston Hollow resident and longtime local television-news anchor Tracy Rowlett decided this week to share with us his reasons for leaving KTVT (CBS Channel 11) and heading for Shale.TV. The online video channel is sponsored solely by Chesapeake Energy Corporation and is dedicated to covering the Barnett Shale.
Rowlett said his decision to leave KTVT (CBS Channel 11) stemmed from his frustrations with current television news reporting practices.“This isn’t really news that we are getting today. It is more of a smattering of less important information that is being presented for a specific age group,” Rowlett said. “That is women, 18 to 49. So we are getting a lot of car wrecks and fires and vanity pieces — that is the latest diet or the latest plastic surgery or whatever. But these are not important items in our community.”
Rowlett was also less than pleased about being called a shill by members of the Dallas media.
“’He’s sold out, he’s a shill,’” Rowlett said as he parroted his critics from the confines of his Preston Hollow home. “That is the easiest thing in the world to say … It takes a little more brainpower to understand what we are doing.”
You can read more about it here. Once you’ve heard Tracy speak his peace, leave us your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.
Do you think Tracy and the rest of the Shale.TV staff can provide an unbiased view of drilling in the Barnett Shale? Or is it some elaborate PR campaign aimed at improving Chesapeake Energy’s public image?
Yes, I do think that an unbiased view of drilling in the Barnett Shale…..can be presented…They have taken steps to get the right person to deliver their message.One with INTEGRITY
I know Tracy Rowlett will insist on that or he’ll just retire to his lake house put his feet up and read a good book….
He wondering why everyone is so quick to judge before it’s even up and running. It must be very frusting for him…
ok so it’s early and in my earlier message I misspelled frustrating. sorry…
Imagine Tracy (or any other broadcast journalist) going on thier air each night with a story critical of their employer. CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, etc would NEVER allow it—and these comapnies claim to be independent voices and “fair and balanced.” So you think Chesapeake will allow Tracy and company to provide information that could hurt the company or its profits? I think not.
Rowlett may be under the impression that he and his colleagues will have the freedom to report issues critical of CHK. And that may very well be the case early on. With time, no company will allow its employees to report stories that may negatively impact net income. I’m sure he agreed to a lucrative contract and he’ll end up catering to their demands.
I love Tracy, I respect Tracy as a newsman with talent and integrity and I think he’ll continue to do a great job wherever he is. I just wish his newscasts could still be seen in Dallas. Are they accessible online? If so, I’ll check it out.
TBH, Dallas