WILL TV WATCHDOG LOSE ITS TEETH?

Melton's New Job Compromises Jackston Station

Frank Melton's surprise appointment as director of Mississippi's Bureau of
Narcotics has drawn criticism because of the former TV executive's complete
lack of law enforcement experience.

There is another reason that it should be scrutinized. By taking the job,
Melton, already a member of the state Board of Education, further blurs the
line of separation between the government and its watchdog, the media.

Melton's role at WLBT-TV has been significantly diminished since he sold
the Jackson station and two others in Texas in 2000 to the South
Carolina-based Liberty Corp. for $204 million.

Melton has said that, to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, he
will take a leave of absence from the weekly "Bottom Line" commentaries
that have made the Texas native one of the biggest black celebrities in
Mississippi.

That's not good enough.

He should also resign his position on the board of directors of Liberty
Corp. If that resignation puts a pinch in his wallet (doubtful given the
nice price he got for his TV holdings), he can always accept the
$60,000-a-year state salary he has said he would forego.

If Melton continues on the broadcaster's board, it will be difficult for
WLBT to shed the appearance that its coverage, not just of the Bureau of
Narcotics but of the Musgrove administration in general, is compromised by
Melton's continued affiliation with the station.

Nor would a leave of absence from his board slot be good enough. It must be
a permanent break. If it's known that Melton will be back once his law
enforcement dalliance plays out, the television station's reporters and
editors who cover state government will be affected by that knowledge.

Musgrove's unconventional selection of Melton has raised suggestions that
the appointment is more about helping the Democratic governor hold onto his
job next year than it is about stemming the drug trade in Mississippi.

Melton brings to the Musgrove administration a broad following of fans
across racial and political lines.

Melton is admired in the Jackson innercity for "walking the walk." He has
for years devoted a huge block of time to youth programs, including
sponsoring a summer camp in the heart of a drug-infested, crime-ridden
Jackson neighborhood. He has taken a number of troubled boys into his home
and raised them, while putting other poor youngsters through college.

He is popular with white audiences too. They love his bravado, like the
time he plastered the pictures of alleged drug dealers on billboards around
Jackson. His pitch about personal responsibility hits a chord with
conservatives.

It also won't hurt Musgrove during next year's election season to have a
friendly camera at Melton's old station. WLBT has a reputation of being the
most dogged and aggressive broadcaster around the Capitol. It didn't pull a
punch in its coverage of Kirk Fordice's extramarital relationship,
prompting the famous confrontation on camera between the Republican
governor and veteran political reporter Bert Case. Will Musgrove get the
same no-holds-barred treatment with Melton part of the incumbent
administration? It's questionable.

Here's my projection about Melton's longevity as head narc.

Even if he wins Senate confirmation, Melton won't last a year.

He doesn't have the patience to work within a government bureaucracy. It
drives him bananas as a member of the state Board of Education. It will be
in worse for him when he has to handle the day-to-day management of a
government agency for the first time.

Melton's also not known to bite his tongue, a quality that audiences find
refreshing but one that will wear quickly on Musgrove when he finds himself
being shown up by a dynamic underling.

Melton loves to shock. Musgrove doesn't like to be surprised. Melton is
used to giving orders, not taking them. The chemistry doesn't seem right.

If Musgrove loses the 2003 election, Melton will be forced to give up
playing cop. If Musgrove wins, don't look for Melton to stay on for a
second administration.

And, if Melton's tenure in the job is as short-lived as I predict, don't
look for him to make much dent in the state's drug trafficking.

The battle against illegal drugs isn't won by blitzkrieg. It takes a
sustained commitment of time and resources.