The days of "spot news" are mostly in the past. It was mostly photogs (still and video) doing the driving around as the "talent" did whatever it was they did. I knew a couple of dozen print and TV photogs over the years and installed radios for many of them. Four, five, six or more scanners were not unusual for many of the guys.
Now it's mostly assignment editors listening to scanners in the office and sending photogs out to get B Roll or pick up the talent and bring them out for a live stand up. Said live stand up often being the place where a fire, crime, accident, or something else occurred hours before and nothing is currently happening. But, it's a "live shot" which is supposed to excite viewers.
ENG also changed the landscape as photogs, still or video, no longer have to race back to the studio, newspaper, or a designated spot where the courier will pick up the raw film or tape and bring it back. Now it's all broadcast via microwave back to the studio.
Someone scoffed in another thread when I mentioned a potential First Amendment issue. People should remember that the First Amendment applies not only to the public, but to the media as well. Even if the media illicitly obtains information and publishes it, they are immune to prosecution. See the Daniel Ellsburg case if you want to see why.
TXDispatcher1 has it exactly right. Sadly, big city Mayors and other officials appear to be using encryption for political, not public safety, reasons.
