Storm brewing over National Weather Service television studio
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WashingtonPost.com reports that since word has spread that the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Birmingham, Alabama has installed a state-of-the-art television studio, new light is shining on the question: Where do the responsibilities of the National Weather Service start and stop?
Al.com reported Saturday that the Birmingham NWS office “is putting the finishing touches on its new media center — something that may be the first of its kind.” It contains large-screen monitor, high-end camera and lighting “designed to look as good as a TV studio” according to the Al.com article.
Some private sector and television meteorologists, however, are uncomfortable with this capacity expanding, fearing it’s the first move along a slippery slope towards unfair competition. The concern is that if NWS provides certain broadcast weather services for free, the private sector will lose customers.
