Brian_Kerhin's Blog

There have been a few postings in the blogs about the media's role in the Brett Favre retirement segment.

Here's a sample: "News personalities need to speak for us the fans with their power through their reporting medium."

I am going to disagree on that. While it is our role to ask challenging questions of all of the parties involved, it is not FOX 11's role to become an advocate for the fans, or Favre, or the team, or any other point of view.

That said, we certainly owe it to air as many views as possible. We seek out those views through stories, online polls, the blogs, phone calls during "Training Camp Report" and more. We have covered events - such as Coach McCarthy's presentation of a check to a community organization - and used those opportunities to ask questions about the Favre situation because, on most days before training camp started, there were few opportunities to do so.

Here's another comment: "fox 11 news is so scared of the packers organization its sicking!  He is the best thing that has ever happened to the game of football and you cant back him, or actually interview someone with any intrest in keeping the legend"

Well, we certainly have aired many comments backing Favre - just about every day we include comments from the fans with a variety of views.

As for being "scared" of the Packers, I'm not sure what to make of that statement. We have not shied away from asking questions. We have showed up at events and asked questions at times that likely annoyed the team. I talk with the team's public relations contact most days - and frequently several times per day. He's never said anything about the coverage, been critical, threatened us - or praised us, for that matter. We've got our job to do and the team has its. We understand that - so does the team.

I know that some folks - including my wife! - think we have gone overboard on our coverage. I certainly understand that view. However, it seems that every day there's something new. Most days, Favre stories are three of the top four most-viewed stories on our website. Take a listen when out and about - it's all anyone seems to be talking about. I went to my sister's wedding two weeks ago, and had friends and relatives from all across the country ask me about it. There is an interest in this - as there always is for all things Packers. We all know about the fans' passion - and this story even moreso than others. But it's not FOX 11's place to advocate for any particular side or outcome.

And keep those comments coming!