Levy cries foul over broadcast

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy had competition last week while delivering his State of the County message. Only he didn't know it.

A half-dozen times during News 12's live broadcast, home viewers were invited to "Sound Off" and e-mail their comments, which were then put on screen next to Levy during his 50-minute speech.

Neither Levy nor the 300 officials who jammed the main auditorium at Stony Brook University's Wang Center were aware of the split screen's use during the televised address. However, the viewer opinions provoked nervous titters to guffaws in two overflow rooms where aides and latecomers watched the speech live on News 12.

Comments were split, with some lauding Levy for taking on municipal unions and touting him for governor. Others castigated him for self-promotion and cutting county services.

Levy staffers were irate. Aide Mark Smith likened it to cable TV's "Mystery Science Theater 3000," where bad horror and sci-fi films are peppered with wisecracks from audience silhouettes. "It just does not belong at this event," Smith said.

Levy said he was upset and felt "blindsided" by the format. "It cheapens the entire event," he said. "It's a major distraction to people trying to listen to the content." He added he has no problem with viewers reacting after the speech once they've heard what he has to say.

"I don't think they would condone real-time bloggers posting as their reporters deliver the news," Levy said. "Imagine if one of them said the reporter was having a bad hair day."

A Levy aide later called News 12 to formally complain and asked that the "Sound Off" portion of the tape be taken out of taped replays of the speech over the weekend - as well as News 12 Interactive's instant replay feature for customers. News 12 agreed.

Deborah Koller-Feeney, News 12 spokeswoman, in a statement said: "We stand by our decision to let viewers be heard," though she said News 12 regrets Levy was "not fully unaware" of the format. "It's important to give our viewers a voice" that allows them "to comment in real time during live television events," she said.

The cable channel - owned by Cablevision, which also owns Newsday - has used "Sound Off" in past presidential debates, and for President Barack Obama's State of the Union message, she noted. News 12 also used the format for shows involving local officials in New Jersey and the Bronx. It was not used during Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano's inaugural address last month.

Randy Reeves, a University of Missouri associate television professor, said such interaction is part of a growing trend in both electronic and print media to make direct contact and drive immediate feedback. Reeves said "most of the audience understands it's an initial reaction, not well-reasoned research."

"Is it fair? Of course, it's fair," said Bob Papper, Hofstra University's journalism department chairman. "When we watch from home, we're always making comments all through it . . . Levy has no inherent right to get his views across unobstructed . . . if anything, politicians don't allow enough talk back."

Koller-Feeney said News 12 intended to continue the "Sound Off" format for future live events, and decisions on where to use it would be made on a "case-by-case basis." Whether it would be used for future state of the county messages, she added, "will be an editorial decision."

Such talk has raised concerns in Nassau County, where Mangano is due to give his first State of the County message in mid-March. "I don't think it was malicious," said spokesman Michael Martino. "Running live commentary during what is the most important address a local official will deliver in the entire year probably was not the best idea."

He added it's open to abuse if critics orchestrate a barrage of attacks. Martino also called News 12 to see what's planned for his boss' speech. "I called to discuss other options," he said.

PLAYERS County executives Steve Levy and Edward Mangano and News 12

ISSUE Whether News 12 should allow viewers to "sound off" with on-air blogs posted as the county executives deliver State of the County speeches.

WHAT'S NEXT Mangano's speech in mid-March