Live from the planetarium — it's KUTV

When the Clark Planetarium opens April 11, expect to see a lot of science, a lot of families — and a lot of KUTV.

While other television stations will almost certainly cover the grand opening, Channel 2 has agreed to put out extra effort. The station's plans include at least one live newscast from a studio inside the planetarium, shots of The Gateway shopping mall from its rooftop weather camera, and multiple weather forecasts from the KUTV weather station, which is one of the planetarium's permanent displays.

That bonus coverage was an element of what persuaded planetarium officials to contract for $50,000 in advertising with the station. Additionally, the news-angle pitch — which was done separately from the marketing department's pitch — was made by KUTV news director Steve Charlier. The unusual move has raised some eyebrows among competing stations.

"This is something I wanted to be involved in, a great community project," Charlier said. "I have three kids and a wife who want to go to the planetarium, and that's the people we want to reach."

The station never promised stories, nor will its relationship with the planetarium compromise its coverage of any negative stories that arise, Charlier said. Like any other news organization that has marketing ties to something — every station and newspaper sponsors community-oriented events throughout the year — they are professionals who will fairly cover the news.

"This is something positive for my department and for the event, but if something bad does happen, we will cover that as well," he said. "(Reporter Bill) Gephardt will be the first one there."

Jon Fischer, director of local development and news for KTVX, said his station has started to broadcast the morning show "Good Things Utah" as a way to showcase local community happenings, businesses and other promotional events that "keeps the news separate from the marketing." By actually anchoring a newscast from the planetarium, however, KUTV has essentially sold its news, Fischer said.

"Moving the newscast and the anchors to the planetarium is giving the show to the planetarium," he said.

While Fischer said he would have never chosen to pitch his station's news for advertising revenue, he does not necessarily think that KUTV has crossed any ethical lines, primarily because so many "journalistic ethics" fall into gray areas. Instead, it seems to be more an aspect of KUTV's overall approach to news, which encourages reporters and anchors to become more involved in the stories they cover.