The power of the internet can be downright scary sometimes as information trickles through different avenues, whether it’s Twitter or Facebook, instant messaging programs or programs like Skype or UStream. When you combine that with some guy that’s looking for his 15 minutes of fame on the radio, you’ve got yourself a story that can get blown out of proportion in a real hurry.
I wonder if Rick Dipietro is still fielding calls from friends, family and others making sure that he’s alive after a caller to a radio show on ESPN 1050 in New York blurted on the air that Dipietro had been in a serious car crash and suffered a broken shoulder and pelvis. The rumour then caused a frenzy online which turned the crash into serious injury, then in some reports, to death.
For the record, the Islanders and anyone else close to Dipietro have confirmed that the goaltender has not been in a car crash, has not suffered numerous injuries nor has died from complications from the alleged accident. But heading onto Twitter, there were a couple of people who couldn’t believe that someone like the caller was allowed on the air in the first place.
Having worked as both a producer and a host, I can tell you that it’s very easy for someone like that to get on the air and blurt something like that. It’s actually lucky on the part of people in the radio business that it doesn’t happen more often than it does, but most people who call in aren't really looking to sabotage the show or cause any trouble either.
From the producer’s point of view, he usually has to run the show and field calls at the same time. So, screening the calls isn’t nearly as thorough as people would think, but there is some screening that does happen. If you don’t really have a point to contribute to the show, then you get weeded out. But if you do have something interesting to say, you’ll easily get on if there’s time and space. The problem for the screener is that he may hear what your point is, but has to trust that the person on the other end doesn’t have a hidden point or agenda.
From the host’s point of view, it’s real simple. If the caller’s name and subject comes up on the screen, then he has no choice but to assume that it’s a good call and will make the show better. Everyone works under the assumption that the call is going to go on the air because it will make the show better, so if the host takes the call and the caller decides to go on a completely different rant, it’s up to the host to have a quick trigger finger to avoid any problems.
Trust me, there are people that call all the time and have “tips” or want to spread a rumour that they heard while at dinner or at the bar, and the information could be factual, but we can’t let those kind of people on the air. If you need clarification as to why, just try contacting Rick Dipietro and the Islanders after tonight.