My story tonight will start with a single black frame of video. That frame will never air. The director won’t punch to the video until he actually sees something there. But that one frame of black video, that 1/30th of a second, will stand as a symbol of what TV News would be if it weren’t for the dedicated TV News Photographers that risk they’re life everyday.

That single frame of video will also stand as a tribute to Gordon Davis, a ten-year veteran of WJLA TV who was killed earlier this week while covering a news story. Gordon stepped in front of a car while crossing the street after shooting an overnight fire. He leaves a wife and 15 year old daughter behind.

Gordon’s death underscores the dangers News Photographers face every day. Let’s face it, we generally show up where something bad has happened, it’s not always a safe area. And in our need to be first on the air, sometimes we take short-cuts to get there.

The idea for the single back frame came out of a discussion group of several hundred News Photographers. Cops place a black ribbon on their badges when a fellow officer falls; I think the single black frame of video is a perfect tribute for us… even if it never airs.

Scholarship Fund
WJLA Television has set up a scholarship fund for Gordon’s 15 year old daughter, Megan.

Donations can be made by check to:
Megan Davis Scholarship Fund
c/o WJLA TV
1100 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, Virginia 22209