44 - Sunday, November 25, 1990 - North Shore News AFFLUENCE & INFLUENCE Ritchie runs the show Competition keeps CBCTV news executive producer on his toes Eee Pe aes By Xs ee i = & a nes PANAS OED S NEWS photos Mike Wakefiold CBC-TV news executive producer Graham Ritchie, right, goes over a story with reporter Mark Dailey in the television station’s downtown Vancouver newsroom. 550,000 people work hard to protect Canada’s endangered species. You can help tco. at Vancouver Istond J Marmot Mamota For more information contact: A Canadian Wildlite Federation 4673 Carling Avenue Ottawa, Ontario K2A 324 (613) 725-2194 Ig) HARRISON GALLERIES fe ’ Ww, a : . “APRIL DAY, PARIS” 24°30" IZZARD PAINTS EUROPE! — Italy, Portugal and Paris revisted. NOVEMBER 28th - DECEMBER 8th AT 2022 PARK ROYAL, SOUTH MALL WEST VANCOUVER, B.C. 926-2615 10 has to IT’S SHORTLY after a.m. and the ‘‘bible’’ just been delivered Graham Ritchie. By Surj Rattan News Reporter The ‘‘bible,"* in television news jargon, is the story lineup for the day's suppertime newscast. It lists what stories are scheduled to be aired, their length and in what order they will appear. But the scheduled lineup in the “bible,’’ Ritchie concedes, is often tossed out the window at a mo- ment'’s notice, depenuing on the vagaries of the day's news. “The story lineup gives us a good idea of what we have to contend with,"’ explains the 42- year-old Bowen Island resident. “But nothing is locked down until 6:59."" After examining his career, you might think Ritchie is moving down rather than up the ladder ef success. But Ritchie says he is happier in his current position as executive producer of the CBC-TV evening news than he has been in the other impressive roles he has held in the wide world of television news. Ritchie began his career in in- ternational news covering ‘assign- ments in such places as Asia. He then moved to the national newsroom or CBC-TV in Toron- to, where he worked as the department manager. PRACTICAL TIPS FROM SYLVAN ON RESPONDING TO POOR SCHOCL PERFORMANCE Pee: grades can be disappointing to parent and child alike. But viewed as important signals, they can prompt action which may ac- tualiy improve your child's learning skills for life. Here's what Sylvan advisors have to say. " Poor grades will lower any student's self esteem. STATS © NAME: Graham Ritchie © AGE: 42 ¢ OCCUPATIGN: Execu- tive producer, CBC-TV evening news ° RESIDENCE: Bowen Island © FAMILY: Wife Susan, four sons © HOBBIES: Renovating houses The ‘mother corporation’’ then sent him to Vancouver to tem- porarily fill the position of execu- tive news producer. He liked the job and people so much that he applied for the position and was given it on a full-time basis. “E guess my next move wil! be to the Bowen Island Undercur- rent,” quips Ritchie. The CBC-TV newsroom in Vancouver has a staff of 52, in- cluding reporters, editors and producers, but Ritchie runs the show. If a reporter and editor have a dispute over a story, Rit- chie will make the final decision. Ritchie says television news should present stories that are eas- ily understood but do not patronize the viewer. **The GST is too big of an issue to do all at once. It has to be done piece by piece. Today we’re doing a story on the GST and “The problem may be physical or emotional, but in most cases, it goes back toa revious lesson — usually a asic math or reading skill — that wasn't fully understood. This can be tumed around with the right kind of help. ‘If you show disappoint- ment, make sure your child NEY : Specializes in Sylvan helping students reach their full potential. understands it’s out of con- cern for his education — not out of disappointment in him as a person’ If you want your children to succeed, active participation in their education is vital. Parents of every generation have a common goal of a bet- ter life for their children. Your child can start to achieve suc- cess with a little assistance today. funeral homes...these guys (feder- al government) will get yeu: even when you're dead,"’says Ritchie. “It’s (job) not particularly glamorous but if it helps them (viewers) in making a decision, then we feel good.’’ Ritchie says reporters should be taking a long hard look at the job they are doing in light of the re- cent Bud Smith-Margot Sinclair tape scandal in which it was revealed that former CKVU-TV legislative reporter Sinclair had a personal friendship with the former B.C. attorney-general. “ft think some reporters need to re-examine their ethics. It doesn’t help us (CBC) if it’s another (news) organization doing it. If your viewer doesn't believe you, you’re in trouble,’ says Ritchie. “Every time areporter does some- thing to damage that credibility, it affects all reporters in TV, radio and print."” He also has criticisms about how the Vancouver media cover the Lower Mainland. **I don’t think they do a splen- did job. ! think it could be done better. I think TV news is very competitive, which has its dangers. But competition is very important, it keeps you on your toes,” he says. “I think com- munity papers don’t do a bad job.” His thoughts suddenly switch to his family and he offers some news about one of his four sons. “My oldest kid just turned 16 and he has his driver’s licence. It scares the hell cut of me.”’ do when your child | scomes home with poor grades. | How Sylvan Learsiing Centres can help. We begin by pinpointing a student’s strengths and weaknesses. Based on test results, we tailor an individual leaming program designed to accommodate each student's own personal needs. His Sylvan teacher works closely with him every step of the way. With plenty of warm support and encouragement, and state-of-the-art materials, ‘your child's learning skills — and self-esteem — will im- prove dramatically. Syivan Specializes in helping students reach their full potential. Call today for more information Help your child’s learning skills for life. At Sylvan we offer: ° Reading * Algebra « Math ¢ Study Skills * Clear Writing Sylvan Learning amuses Centre. Helping kids do better North Shore 985-6811 Richmond 273-3266 Coquitlam 941-9166