Team Nation - Gary Hines
Job Title: Assistant News Director, KTBS
Previously: Newspaper and wire service reporter
Interests outside work: Cycling, yard work (In this business, you frequently don’t know if you’re doing any good. When you mow the lawn, you can at least see you’ve accomplished something.)
Nickname: Scoop. I got it my first day on the job as the police reporter. Two Bossier City detectives gave it to me. It stuck.
Book: Pride and Prejudice
Food: Shrimp
Professional saying: Holding public officials accountable is like cleaning the kitchen of roaches. “You can spray once and they’ll be gone for a while. But the roaches come back again, similar to the corrupt politicians. You’ve got to keep spraying.” — Sam Dash.
Personal saying: “It is important to know how to make a living and how to make a life. You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.”
Biggest challenge: The man who gave me the scoop that made my career messed up later. We had to do the story; I couldn’t — and wouldn’t — let him off the hook. It hurt, but we still talk. I’ve found that when it comes to the decent people in public life, you can rough them up — but if you’re accurate and balanced and it’s justified, they’ll still talk to you.
Second biggest challenge: Not strangling the reporters who don’t have drive.
Do you miss newspaper work: Sometimes. You can’t do it as long as I did and not miss seeing your byline on the top of the front page.
Biggest concern: Libeling people and being wrong. The media have enormous power and the pressure to be first can lead to incredibly bad decisions. The runaway bride in Georgia ought to be a lesson to every one of us. I once wrote a story about two men who unjustifiably lost their jobs. I was a rookie and took an official at his word and didn’t track the men down to find out what happened. It still haunts me. The only good thing about it was they got their jobs back.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
May I be the FIRST to say Gary Hines has long been my mentor! I have the most respect for Gary out of anyone in this business. He’s like me — a newspaper-trained reporter who’s in the TV world. He tells it like it is and is incredibly fair and accurate. You rock, Gary!!!! I must admit, though, I’m shocked he allowed his picture to be taken! He’s such the ‘incognito’ type!
April 28th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Gary probably does more for less public recognition of anyone in the newsroom. He’s one of the biggest reasons “On Your Side” is more than just a motto at KTBS.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Yeah, Gary’s a rock solid journalist (and softball player).
April 29th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
For some odd reason I think Gary knows more about me than I or my family do.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Gary’s pretty much the news version of the C.I.A.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Gary, I figured your nickname would be “Go Get’Em”! That’s what you do. Call me if you have any stalkers up front! HA Seriously, the world’s a better place…thanks.
May 1st, 2008 at 1:06 pm
t.v. it up Gary!
May 1st, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Gary’s one of my motivations to never royally screw up. Because chances are he’d still find out, even if I’m not a public official!
May 1st, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Scoop! I’m so impressed you let Sherri take your pic!
Sonja I couldn’t agree more with everything you said about Gary. He too is a mentor to me and has and continues to help me everyday become a better journalist!
I can’t say it enough… thanks Gary! I would still be in little ole’ Lafayette if it weren’t for you!