Spywitness News
With G.P.S.,
“The Man” knows where you are and how long you stopped for lunch. WABC
reporters now watched by their bosses
Reporters
at WABC-TV want to know why their bosses have lately decided to track
them. The station began to install Global Positioning System tracking
technology in its mobile news trucks last month, and now an eye in the
sky sees the trucks’ every move. It’s made the reporters wonder just
what they’ve done wrong. “Let’s just say people are pretty pissed off,”
said one longtime on-air Channel 7 reporter. “We were never really consulted,
and the whole Big Brother aspect has us uncomfortable.”
Others
raised more practical concerns. “If I stop to get a slice for lunch,
am I going to be timed?” asked a cameraman. “It’s just a weird feeling
to know that you’re being watched all day, everywhere you go. No one
wants that.” ABC isn’t unusually suspicious of its employees: Spokesmen
for the local affiliates of NBC and CBS both acknowledged that they
are considering similar technology for their news fleets.
Gene Maxwell, president of nabet Local 16, a union representing
WABC employees, has received assurances that the tracking system will
simply improve the station’s ability to deploy vehicles to breaking-news
scenes, and “won’t be used for disciplinary measures.” One veteran cameraman
scoffed at that rationale. “I know the streets better than any computer
program, believe me,” he said.
In addition to location, WABC’s chosen tracking system,
AirLink, can also monitor vehicle speed and idling time. The company’s
Website assures would-be clients that the technology effectively combats
“unauthorized vehicle use” and results in “reduced side trips.” “It’s
not like we’re out here driving to Atlantic City during lunch,” groused
the cameraman.
They are not grousing in isolation. Earlier this month,
New York City cabbies massed to protest the installation of similar
devices in their cars, arguing that the move violated their privacy
rights. WABC had no comment.
By
Selim Algar www.newyorkmetro.com
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