"SHOPTALK"
                         Friday July 18, 1997
Dear Don:

As a meteorologist who works in both academics and in television, I am
interested in the viewpoints of news directors and general managers
regarding the following issue:  What criteria (if any) is used in
deciding whether to call an on-air weather personality a
"meteorologist"?  Is a B.S. in Meteorology or Atmospheric Sciences
considered a  prerequisite?  Is simply "taking a few courses about the
weather" sufficient?  In recent years, I've witnessed enough
misleading, faulty, and just-plain-wrong meteorology being
disseminated on-air to know that the title "meteorologist" is being
much more loosely applied than in the past.

I suppose this issue could be viewed in the same light as the recent
discussion about the title "reporter."  However, I believe that the
scientific nature of meteorology sets it apart.   Calling someone a
"meteorologist" suggests a formal program of study of the subject of
interpreting and forecasting the weather, just as calling someone a
"chemical engineer" or a "medical doctor" suggests a rigorous program
of study in those fields.  In addition, there are alternative titles
such as "weatherman" or "weathercaster" that can be used instead of
"meteorologist."

Thanks,

Dr. Jon M. Nese
Associate Professor, Penn State University
Meteorologist, WBRE-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA
j2n@psu.edu