Making the Media S5E09: Local Matters

S5E09: Local Matters
Local TV stations in the United States want to take advantage of AI to make them more efficient but insist this cannot come at the risk of their journalistic credibility. That is the view of an Emmy® award-winning newsroom leader in the latest Making the Media Podcast, who also highlights the role of streaming and social media in building and retaining audiences.

In the episode, Bob Ellis, VP and general manager of WDIV in Detroit, Michigan, says that they are investigating ways in which AI can help their reporters through the generation of interview transcripts, for example, but he says it is crucial that their reporters and producers verify content before publication.

Listen to Hear:

• Why it is critical for local news to be on all platforms
• Ways to challenge misinformation and questions of credibility
• Using AI to become more efficient while retaining journalistic integrity

Our Guest This Episode

Bob Ellis
VP and General Manager, WDIV in Detroit, Michigan

Bob Ellis is the vice president and general manager of WDIV, the Graham Media Group, Inc. media hub in Detroit. It’s his second stint at the station, he previously spent 15 years of his career at WDIV in various management roles, including news director. He has held the position since October 2021.

Ellis, known for his creativity and bold ideas, has led WDIV in launching several innovative projects to, as he often says, “Put more local in Local 4.” In both 2023 and in 2024, Radio + TV Business Report placed Ellis #1 on their annual Top Local TV Leaders List as the top general manager in America.

In 2020, Ellis participated in the 20th anniversary class of the National Association of Broadcasters Broadcast Leadership Training program.

From 2009 to 2021 Ellis served as the vice president and general manager of WJXT and WCWJ, the Graham Media Group, Inc. duopoly in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2013 Ellis was named General Manager of the Year for markets 25-50 by Broadcasting and Cable Magazine.

A Michigan native, Ellis graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. He began his TV career in sports with his first job as producer of the football and basketball coach’s shows at MSU. Ellis is an 11-time Emmy® winner and under his leadership, his stations have earned two national Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Emmy is a trademark of National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (“NATAS”) and The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (“ATAS”).

“We want to use AI to help our staff be more efficient. But I don't see a time in this organization anyway where we would ever have AI publish things. The process of a journalist is too critical today.”
Bob Ellis, VP and General Manager, WDIV Detroit