TV meteorologist who objected on air to ‘code red’ orders might be out of job…
Can you say Global Warming Hoax going wild?
Joe Crain has been a meteorologist at WICS NewsChannel 20 in Springfield, Illinois, for 15 years. He holds a degree in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State. He’s a go-to source for severe weather coverage and is widely trusted by viewers.
And Monday, he might not have a job to return to.
The reason? Crain criticized Sinclair Broadcast Group’s initiative to implement mandatory “code red” days in their affiliates’ forecasts. Meteorologists at local stations under Sinclair’s auspices are encouraged – or at times, forced – into declaring code red days, the decision often made by management. And during Wednesday morning’s broadcast, Crain had had enough.
“Code red was created by likely a journalism school graduate,” said Crain as the live cameras rolled. “A lot of people not happy with this since we’ve implemented it. That’s evident by the thousands of comments on social media, letters to the editor, and frequent calls to local talk radio shows.”
Last week, a letter to the editor appeared in Springfield’s State-Journal Register, in which viewer Victoria Edwards complained she is “sick to death” of code red days.
“It would appear any cloud in the sky will warrant a ‘code red,’” wrote Edwards, arguing that the constant bombardment of code red days desensitizes the viewer – “like the boy who cried wolf. It makes the viewers skeptical of anything the weather people say.”
Crain alluded to that effect in his since-viral forecast Wednesday, expressing sympathy for viewers fed up with the corporate-imposed hype.
“As far as the code red name itself, we get that, too,” Crain said. “When you hear ‘code red,’ you think ‘the feces is about to hit the fan.’” That all culminated into an apology he offered to the viewers.
“I take my job seriously and my responsibility to the public,” lamented Crain, clearly upset that code red days have taken a toll on the credibility he spent a decade and a half earning from viewers. “We want you to know it’s not us. This is a corporate initiative. Behind the scenes, many of us have tried to dissuade it for the past several months.”
Crain’s segment concluded on a slightly more hopeful note, urging viewers to double down on their efforts.
“Despite the fact that this facility is owned by a corporation … it’s still licensed to serve the public. You still have a voice. Keep those cards and letters coming.” Crain was not seen delivering the weather on-air Thursday morning, and his bio has since been removed from the company website.
Management at WICS wasn’t immediately available for statement. The newsroom couldn’t verify whether Crain remains employed, stating they were “unable to comment on personnel matters.”
Thousands have taken to social media to express their support for Crain. Some have pledged to boycott the station, while others are urging local advertisers to pull their ads.
