One of America’s 10 Most Wanted Ralph "Bucky" Phillips is now in police custody. After an intensive manhunt not far from where I live, Phillips is on his way to Buffalo, NY for arraignment. Throughout the day today, we listened and watched for media updates as police helicopters went by outside. Phillips finally gave himself up around 8:00pm tonight, after New York State and Pennsylvania police forces and SWAT teams closed in upon him near a local golf course.
It was interesting to watch the media coverage. Some news crews were ahead of others with “breaking news,” depending upon their location. We wondered whether they were all staying where police had told them to. Some were quick to confirm that Phillips had been captured; others were more cautious to proclaim the news until confirmation came from police sources, or from the AP. Earlier in the day, reporters on the scene were asked to describe the terrain where Phillips was thought to be contained. The descriptions differed. (A local could’ve described it accurately!). Even some area stations’ anchors didn’t have the location quite right. Ah, communication...
Technological advantages as well as differences in skill were evident between local and national coverage too, as is to be expected. And local teams interviewed, for example, the New York State Police Superintendent, while Katie Couric interviewed a US Marshal. Though the coverage overall was great, also evident were limitations of communication and of perspective, regardless of whether the journalism was done well or not.
Well, we’re all breathing a sigh of relief. But Phillips is still alive. That means there’s still time to pray for his soul.
