When you have a job in the public eye, especially one on live television, people see what you do. I’m intentionally stating the obvious. If you screw up, it’s not between you and your co-workers — it’s likely to wind up on YouTube for perpetuity. If you get tongue tied, have a wardrobe malfunction, have to red-faced-scream your information because a train/plane/trash truck passes by your live shot, or have your interview outside the football game hijacked by drunk tailgaters — everyone sees it.
I remember, years ago, long before Youtube, watching an anchor reading a story about something that happened at Yosemite Park. She pronounced it YOHZ-MITE. This same poor woman once called the Danube River, the DUH-NOOBY river. In today’s world she would have been an unintended internet star.
Everyone in this photo has received emails like me
A lot of the criticism of us is deserved and at at times, truly useful. I remember being agonized years ago because I incorrectly used the word lay in a story. It should have been lie. My cheeks flamed bright pink as I read an email from a retired English teacher who chastised me for butchering the language. She wrote that I should strive to set a good example by properly using our language. Man, I was back in school again. But she was right. I never made that mistake again.
Then there is the criticism I received yesterday in an email sent to our newsroom. Here it is:
‘News Flash. Get Jay Watson off the air. Her reporting has constant religious over tones. I find it objectionable for a news cast and she’s an idiot. Just switched the channel, I won’t be tuning into 11alive news and more.’
I have received many emails critiquing my looks, my wardrobe, my reporting, my hair, my age. The majority of my colleagues have fielded opinions about their weight, their bald spots, their wrinkles, their underwear lines, their Botox — you name it, nothing is too personal.
The above email is not unusual, but like all the others I’ve ever received, it stings — and then I stop and think, ‘Does this person have a point? Am I religious on TV?’
My interview with Jeff Foxworthy
I realized he was probably referring to a story I had just done on comedian Jeff Foxworthy who leads a bible study for homeless men, here. Or it could have been a story I did on an amazing young girl named Grace a week and a half earlier. Her story is here. Both stories have elements of faith in them. Foxworthy does bible study and talks about God..kinda the whole point of the story. And Grace shared with us a God experience she had when she was diagnosed with cancer.
Grace Bunke, a cancer survivor who chose to get rotationplasty
I think both of these stories are amazing, but they were not my stories. I was the conduit. Sometimes people forget that — that I’m telling true stories that belong to other people. Their truth as told by me.
When I’ve interviewed controversial figures, people castigate me for giving a platform to THAT mysognist/liberal/conservative/fill-in-the-blank. They think I’m ‘endorsing’ this person because I put them on TV. That’s just not the way journalism works.
I stand by my stories. I strive to do justice — to our language and our profession.
To the fellow who wrote me — thank you for your feedback, and by the way, it’s Jaye with an ‘e.’
Jay with an E!!! Love it!!!
Thanks, Glenda with an ‘A!’
Jaye – You do an awesome job! Remember you have 1,000 fans to every IDIOT that sends in hate email.
YOU are one of the reason I watch 11Alive in the mornings.
YOU are one the reasons the morning show is so great!
Love your compassion for others and they way YOU broadcast the stories!
Denise, thank you so much…means a lot. j
JayE – keep doing what you do – you are a breath of fresh air. As far as this “News Flash”, you are not religious on tv, you just have a heart!
Thank you, Dawne. As I’ve long known, I don’t have a poker face, so for better or for worse, viewers are going to see it. Thank you!
SMH, ahh “idiot girl” just keep doing what you are doing. This “idiot girl” thanks you for it.
Haha..thanks, Barb. Yes, this idiot girl is happy to keep on doing what she’s doing. Thank you.
You are onjective, articulate, very smart.and perfectly placed. You are also the prettiest, but that shouldn’t matter. Your reporting is a work of art.
Jaye Watson, is one of the few television reporters that i actually look forward to seeing on local tv. Jaye, ignore the idiots and keep doing a great and heartfelt job!!!!
Hi Leo Senior…thank you. I promise you I ignore them and keep doing what I’m doing. Hugs to you and the family. xx
Let’s also remember that you’re based in the Bible Belt where you are going to end up doing more stories that include religion. You cannot consciously avoid subjects because there are ‘religious under/overtones.’ I find that criticism lazy, but that’s just me.
Unfortunately life is full of nit pickers! Keep up the good work Jaye. We love your stories!!! Rocky and Phyllis
Nit pickers love me, evidently. I hear from them weekly. 🙂 It’s okay, with folks like you to remind me that it’s all good. Thank you!
Personally, I am weary of the God-haters. Virtually all of them have no knowledge of the Bible. They think they’re smart, but they’re not. And they’re arrogant to boot. That’s what really gets my goat.
Jaye, you are a smart caring journalist who just happens to be beautiful, too. Keep doing inspirational stories. The person who criticized you needs to go back in their medication.
Chuck, Thank you. Thanks for taking the time to read this and write me.
JayE, keep on doing what you’re doing. Like Taylor Swift sings:. Haters gonna hate. You’ve just got to shake it off. I love your moments and waking up with all of you.
Thank you, Linda. I love your advice to ‘shake it off.’ Thank you for taking the time to write.
You do a wonderful job and it is so sad that our society is full of people who only want to criticize and demean others. Certainly that person does not understand the business as he should know that you are the conduit. 10000 times more people love you and your reporting and we should tell you more often to counter the negative ones who take the time to write! Keep up the GREAT work!!!
Thank you, Kimberly. You guys are awesome cheerleaders for me.
This just in: Jaye Watson is human. You aren’t a robot that provides viewers with just data. You provide heart & soul to story telling. That’s a gift from God and you need NOT EVER apologize for using that skill.
If you let the negative get to you. I hope someone gives you a swift kick.
Keep the faith, be strong and pursue your “life’s work” with passion. God is working on you and thru you. There would be something seriously wrong, if that wasn’t reflected in your stories.
Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and mind and lean not on thy own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all thy ways and He shall direct thy path.
Oh no! Please don’t tell my children I’m human..they might expect more of me. 🙂 Truly, thank you for your incredibly kind words. I so appreciate it.
Jaye,
I’ve never known a more compassionate and caring reporter. You don’t just tell the story and move on, you continue relationships with the people you meet along the way. I’ve been fortunate to be one of those people. Not only are you a gifted writer and storyteller, you collect people along the way. My life is better for knowing you!
Amy, what a lovely thing to say. I am very touched. I am happy to have met you. Thank you for your very kind words.
Thank you, Amy. It means a lot. I’m glad Lancelot is doing well.
Faith is more than religion; both are worthy of reporting about in our world today. Individual truths embedded in the personal narratives of others are often forsaken in our “one liner” world. It is refreshing and inspiring to hear enough of the stories of others to place them in context. You do this flawlessly. If you ever make misspeak using a personal pronoun, we’ll keep it between you and I. 🙂
Thank you, David. That is just perfect. We will keep it between you and I. 🙂
Jaye,
Keep up the good work! Yours is truly a calling, and your stories are a breath of fresh air and inspiration in a world that seems to be losing its civility. To tell the stories of folks like Jeff Foxworthy and Grace Bunke reminds us that there is good in this world. I salute you for your passion and courage to tell the story!
Thank you, Scott. Those are my favorite stories. They are why I’ve lasted this long in the business. The Graces and Jeffs of the world keep me searching for more. Thank you.
Jennifer, you beautiful girl! I know it has to sting and I’m sure you have learned to let, such comments, roll off your back. However, from a childhood friend, people will do anything to make themselves feel better. To be mean and contrite, shows me, a person lacking something…happiness, wealth, success or just plain old manners! As we know, misery loves company and it is so sad! I am upset over your email and I am probably babbling; I apologize! Just remember, you are a beautiful, strong, successful woman and there are, sadly, people that cannot appreciate your worthy stories! Let them turn the channel, certainly, not your loss! XO
Chana, thank you so much. It’s hard to read notes from you and think of us both as grown ups…I still remember coming to play at your house when I was younger than my daughter is now. Thank you so much….I hope you are well and happy.
XOXO
Whether the message is from a journalist or a critic, the audience must consider the source. You are a credible source. Your work is thorough, reasoned and compassionate. If our news reflects what concerns people, then “religious overtones” should be more prevalent in coverage than what presented. Your critic’s comment deserves consideration, but afterwards you must conclude that it lacks merit. I hope you continue to report as you do.
Jeffrey, thank you for taking the time to read this and write me. His comments won’t change me. They never do. I hear from people like him just about every week. I’ve got a pretty decent wall built….
Just keep being you Jaye! Your stories touch a cord.
Jaye with an “e”. Perfect. I personally love your stories and your blog. I love the opportunity to tear up at something that touches my heart. And as a Christian, I am tired of the reverse discrimination.
Jaye:
We do not work together anymore, but one of the things I miss the most are your stories that touch my heart daily. If people saw the agony and care you take to craft each story just so…You and your husband are two of the most sensitive people I know. Haters gonna hate. As you know, I’m Jewish and I never gave the Foxworthy story a questionable thought. It was wonderful and exposed the core of a caring man. Keep telling the stories other stations Don’t take the time to tell and love on those two adorable kids! David
And edit my last sentence so it makes sense.
It’s a funny old world, isn’t it? The very things that Idiot Boy here was complaining about-the core of which are your enormous heart and sensitivity which must be instrumental in which stories you choose to cover, or at least in how very well you write and present them-are what led to me being your imaginary Internet friend. 🙂 Nearly three years ago when I sent my oldest child off to college, one of my friends sent me a link to an essay you’d written about the pain of each step of watching our children move toward leaving the nest for good. Even though your children are much younger than mine, you put into words, perfectly, painfully, beautifully, what I was feeling. You helped me feel a little better and a little less alone during a terribly painful time in my life. So I sent you a message to tell you that and to express my deep gratitude to you. And you, with your huge, sensitive, and extraordinarily generous heart, immediately answered my note and sent me a FB friend request, which I gratefully accepted, stunned and thrilled that you had reached out to this very lucky stranger in that way. Since then your written words and on air stories have continued to bless me in so many ways. So for every mean spirited critic you have, you no doubt have hundreds if not thousands of people who are so grateful you are in their lives, even if that’s only via your work. You are such a bright light in this world, Jaye with an e, and I’m so incredibly grateful and glad that your bright light shines in my particular world.