Just when someone assumes radio isn’t relevant anymore, a person calls into a morning show to report a body found, instead of calling the police. At least one person thought radio was important enough to inform first.
All kidding aside, if you haven’t heard the story yet, here’s what happened. A person called into “Elliot in the Morning” on DC101 in Frederick, MD to mention while out exploring almost THREE WEEKS AGO, he found something. He said his name was “Joseph” but also let them know that’s not his real name. Joseph told Elliot he emailed him some pics. As soon as Elliot opened the email he asked “DUDE you found a dead body?!” Joseph went on to, nonchalantly might I add, explain while he was walking around in the woods he came across what used to be a sort of Tent City and found a body at one of the campsites. Elliot, shocked, inquired “Tell me you called the police,” to which Joseph replied, “Probably today. I had a dream I called ‘em. So no, not yet.” Elliot convinced Joe to give the police a ring and maybe let them know where to look.
If it wasn’t for Elliot and friends convincing ‘ol Joe to notify authorities, I’m sure he never would have. Joe didn’t see the importance of calling police about a body he found, but the radio staff gave him enough reasons to change his mind.
The fact this guy called into a radio station to report something he found (albeit it be the wrong thing to do in this instance) shows radio is still important. Staying on top of local events such as this is hugely important. This is why it’s imperative to stay local. I know it’s pounded into our brains often, but this is the reason radio will be around forever.
To switch gears a bit, recently, a gun was found in a 13 year old’s locker in my town. I live in a small Midwest town and things like this don’t happen. An incident of this magnitude should not be disregarded. Don’t shy away from dramatic occurrences such as this just because you don’t want to change the vibe of the show. It doesn’t have to be dwelled upon. But it deserves air time. I’ve noticed a show will disregard momentous occurrences simply because it will be bring the energy to a halt. Staying local means talking about the gun found in a locker or coming across a body in the woods. It also means the reporting on the underdog high school winning the championship game and the infamous person in town making a menace again. Staying local means staying on top of EVERYTHING your area has to offer. The good and the bad.