WTRF 7 News’ Facebook page has been gaining attention lately and it’s not because of its local news coverage (or lack thereof) but because of the horrendous national stories only posted to garner traffic to their website in hopes of gaining digital revenue. Through our own investigation, Ohio Valley Newz has uncovered how WTRF is publishing so many tragic stories from several states away.
“Arizona Man Beheads Roommate’s Dog as She Moves Out”
“Florida Couple Beat, Used Stun Gun on Adopted Kids”
“Couple Convicted in Death of Boy Killed Over Spilled Cereal”
“Alabama Man Fed Meth to Caged ‘Attack Squirrel'”
These are just a few of the headlines you’ll see produced on WTRF’s Facebook page.
“Here we go again another story from another state,” said one user.
“Please stop sharing this horrible content about children! I feel like all that’s ever posted is child abuse and neglect,” said another WTRF Follower. “I agree with others in that if it’s not local, it’s not relevant.”
“If these stories are not from the area you serve, then why in the world would you show them?,” asked a WTRF Follower. “This is horrible and totally unnecessary for us to see.”
“Wtrf7 you do nothing but spread misery,” said one follower. “Not even local as usual.”
Our investigation uncovered why WTRF has been posting such tragic stories that have nothing to do with the Ohio Valley.
Meet Aiden Miller, WTRF’s digital web producer. Aiden has a love for the gothic and emo side of life. He conveys his sadness of human nature by sharing national stories of tragedy so others who follow WTRF on Facebook can feel the same sadness he feels in the darkness of his soul.
“I don’t care what people think when I post these stories,” said Aiden. “The people need to know the world isn’t all happiness and lollipops. It’s dark and cruel and sad and depressing.”
Through our investigation, we infiltrated the WTRF Newsroom and found Aiden sitting at his desk with a stuffed raven and other gothic decor surrounding his work space. Our investigator noticed he was just wrapping up a post about a man driving through a Nashville, Tennessee funeral procession with a truck that was previously stolen from a disabled veteran (story here).
Our investigation also found Aiden is the nephew of the General Manager at WTRF and is part of the reason he got the job. The General Manager said it’s good to get Aiden out of the basement and socializing with normal people.
When asked if WTRF will continue to keep posting sensational national stories of depression and tragedy, WTRF’s General Manager said it will continue if it makes Aiden happy.
