Viewers’ Voice for 6 p.m. Monday, April 7

By John Carlin
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: April 7, 2008

The announcement this week that WSLS-10 had won a Peabody Award, was certainly big news for us—but this viewer questions whether we should have broadcast the fact, writing:

(e-mail)
I think it is great that you guys won the award. The LOCAL media did a great and tasteful job of coverage. However, I feel a little upset that this was a news item - that you felt the need to include this on your local news. Patting yourself on the back for the coverage of such a tragedy, I feel, is still a little too soon.

Frodis
WSLS.com

WSLS Responds: The names of Peabody winners were carried by media outlets all over the U.S.  It is one of the few awards that rises to that level… Even the Roanoke Times carried a story the next day.  As we reported Wednesday, the award is bittersweet, and we are truly humbled by this recognition.

The search for Steven Branscome, who allegedly shot a state trooper, has dominated the news this week.  One viewer felt we were too nice to Branscome.

(e-mail)
...Why don’t you interview someone that isn’t part of his ... family or one of his “meth-head” friends.  Of course they care about him and “love him”, but other people in the community are locked in their houses and keeping their kids inside on 70 degree days.  ...

No Name
Willis

But another gave us high marks for our coverage, writing:

(e-mail)
We have really appreciated your continuing coverage of this story.  We live near Glen Lyn and have been very interested in the developments in this case.  The closest “local” station fails to recognize that we exist “over here” and WSLS always has more of our local news than they do. Keep up the good work!

No name
Glen Lyn