Even if you know NOTHING about the television news business, now hear this.
For the guys who sell commercials for television news, it is ugly time all over the country.
Some say the Internet is cutting into sales, some say it’s lousy car sales, I am really not sure what is driving the problem; I just hear the grumbling from TV sales people.

THAT’S WHY I WANT TO BRAG ABOUT 10NEWS

If you tune in tomorrow on 10News at 11p.m. you'll have a chance to see our story on SeaWorld and details on an entertainment industry that depends on displaying trained killer whales. Our newsroom has worked with SeaWorld for years, doing stories on their numerous efforts to advance research on marine mammals. I know many of the staff, they are good people, trying to make a difference in the field they have expertise in. At the same time, I have a job to do. When we see a story, an important story, we need to tell it. Even if it involves someone you have had a long-time successful relationship with. Even if it's not going to make them happy. Even if it's SeaWorld.

I saw the story beginning to develop after the SeaWorld trainer was hurt last November during a Shamu show. I wondered about the risk for the trainers and what made the whale become so aggressive.

I would join with reporter Lauren Reynolds and photojournalist Michael Gonzales to explore the history of the park and those big, beautiful whales. I had no agenda, I'm not a zealous tree hugger. But as we began to do our research, there was enough there to keep us looking. It's been seven months now, and the results will be on 10News live at 11p.m. starting Wednesday, then a second story on Thursday at 11 p.m. as well.

So why am I proud of 10News?

SeaWorld is an advertiser with us. A good customer. In addition, 10News and SeaWorld have worked on projects together. The park is an institution in San Diego. And as I said at the top of the blog, these are tough economic times in television news. When I went to my boss about this story, there never was an issue over backing off the story because of our relationship with SeaWorld. Or the money. I know my boss went to his boss and again, the concern wasn't about ticking off SeaWorld, it was about doing the story right, being tough but fair. I hope this is what we accomplished, see for yourself Wednesday night. But as important to me as this story is, so is the support we received from our management to do this story. It's a special feeling to know that you can count on a news operation that believes in the value of doing good, solid journalism no matter the cost, even in 2007.