Posted on 04/19/2007 1:39:56 PM PDT by fight_truth_decay
NBC News's decision to telecast portions of the video material it received Wednesday from Virginia Tech killer Cho Seung-Hui, material that was disseminated by other print and electronic news divisions, provoked reaction that moved the news division to release an explanatory statement Thursday.
It did not quell negative reverberations, including the cancellation of appearances on NBC's "Today" show Thursday in protest of the decision made by NBC News. The network also imprinted the NBC News credit on everything released to other media from the package it was sent by Cho.
In one of the on-air moments of recognition that NBC News' decision was not a unanimous one internally, "Today" co-host Matt Lauer said Thursday morning that there were "some big differences of opinion right within this news division as to whether we should be airing this stuff at all."
"The Virginia Tech killer's death wish has come to pass," Accuracy in Media editor Cliff Kincaid said in a statement released Thursday. "NBC is playing into the cold dead hands of a mass murderer, exploiting his paranoid delusions for ratings and profit. This is exactly what he wanted."
However, Mr. Kincaid also said NBC News should make the entire contents available for "public inspection" on the Web.
The NBC News statement began with an acknowledgment that "the pain suffered by the Virginia Tech community, and indeed the entire country, is immeasurable.
"Upon receiving the materials from Cho Seung-Hui, NBC News took careful consideration in determining how the information should be distributed. We did not rush the material onto air, but instead consulted with local authorities, who have since publicly acknowledged our appropriate handling of the matter," the NBC statement continued. "Beginning this morning, we have limited our usage of the video across NBC News, including MSNBC, to no more than 10 percent of our airtime.
"Our Standards & Policies chief reviewed all material before it was released. One of our most experienced correspondents, [Justice Department reporter] Pete Williams, handled the reporting. We believe it provides some answers to the critical question, 'Why did this man carry out these awful murders?'" the statement continued.
"The decision to run this video was reached by virtually every news organization in the world, as evidenced by coverage on television, on Web sites and in newspapers. We have covered this story—and our unique role in it—with extreme sensitivity, underscored by our devoted efforts to remember and honor the victims and heroes of this tragic incident. We are committed to nothing less."
What do you think about NBC News?s decision? Leave your comments and join the discussion here.
*I* *think* *you* *have* *made* *your* *point*.
*Repeatedly*.
What if NBC pulled out evidence implicating their involvement with creating this nuts mindset ? That is a viable motive for them to open that package addressed to them suspected to be from the assassin. Why did the postman deliver it ? It it was flagged by the postman it should have been handed directly to the FBI.
You said — “I said on several posts. I’m glad I you have said the same. There may have been some fingerprints or other evidence that indicates someone else was involved. NBC contaiminated the evidence when they got their greasy little fingers all over it trying to make copies. NBC may have committed a crime in their desire for ratings...”
If I get a package from the next serial killer and it’s addressed to me, I’ll guarantee you I’m going to have my “greasy little fingers” all over it, because it’s *my* package. And if the authorities don’t like it — it’s just too bad, because it’s *my package* and not theirs. If they want it so bad, they can go to court and subpoena it.
But, they probably wouldn’t have to do that, because *after* I had examined it, I would probably more than likely make copies of it myself (for my own records) and then give it over to them. That’s exactly how I would do it...
Regards,
Star Traveler
This was addressed to NBC from a known assassin. They should have suspected another potential anthrax mailing.
You asked — “So whats your position ? The FBI should hold evidence and the public who is worried about increasing domestic terrorist attacks should not try to figure out what they are holding ?”
No, I think the public should be informed fully.
.
You then said — “Not very good advice considering the anthrax mailings and the Unabomber mailing attacks. If I don’t know who sent me the mail, I DO NOT open it.”
I didn’t say what I was advising you. I was saying what *I* am going to do. I always open up all my mail. No one else gets to do that.
Regards,
Star Traveler
You said — “My view is correct.”
And they say their view is correct. So, which is right?
Regards,
Star Traveler
I understand. So you are saying if you got mail from a known criminal you would open it without caring about the possibility of destroying evidence?
I’m talking to individuals... and then I answer them back when they talk to me...
But we should not inquire about additional information that maybe the investigators do not have or that they over looked ? We are talking about a society that could not even convict OJ Simpson or Michael Jackson.
Oh, a few more things - this creep, although a SELF MADE VICTIM, blames everyone else - irresponsible. LIBERALS LOVE the "victim" mentality. Now you'll hear more about BULLYING kids and this is what happens when you do. The "village" didn't save him so again you'll hear more about "community" - OTHERS responsible for YOU.
This is good propaganda for NO GUNS!!! Now they're picking on the number of bullets in a clip - no chance for people to jump him because he was constantly firing off a LARGE round. They will eventually nit pit their way to NO GUNS. They will pounce on the loophole of no mental health evaluation for owning a gun - later you might be considered nuts by their arbitrary standards and not be allowed to own one - you know how LIBERALS are - selective hypocrisy is their hallmark. And on and on it goes.
Mine!
:)
You said — “This was addressed to NBC from a known assassin. They should have suspected another potential anthrax mailing.”
I don’t care who it was from. If it’s my mail, then I’m going to be the one who decides what to do with it. If the government thinks they have a right to my mail, then they can go to court and get a court order, if they don’t like my decision.
Regards,
Star Traveler
I’ve met media wannabes who said they would kill for national TV exposure.
Now NBC has told every impressionable psycho on the planet that it is literally possible.
You said — “I understand. So you are saying if you got mail from a known criminal you would open it without caring about the possibility of destroying evidence?”
I open my mail, regardless. No one else does. I have the supreme right to it, in *all* cases. If the government does not like my decision, they can go to court and get a court order.
Regards,
Star Traveler
Osama Bin Laden sends you a suspicious looking package. Are you going to open it or call the FBI ?
I throw away lots of mail addressed to me unopened. Most of it appears to be credit card applications however.
You said — “But we should not inquire about additional information that maybe the investigators do not have or that they over looked ? We are talking about a society that could not even convict OJ Simpson or Michael Jackson.”
It’s supposedly a free society. I think that gives you a right to question all you want. And I think the public should be given the information. So, no one is stopping you from inquiring, or investigating, if you want to.
Regards,
Star Traveler
You said — “Osama Bin Laden sends you a suspicious looking package. Are you going to open it or call the FBI ?”
The *right* is mine. It’s my determination. That’s the fundamental principle. And the government recognizes that, too — because — if they want my mail, they know they are going to have to get a court order.
By the way, if Osama bin Ladin sends me some mail, I’ll guarantee you that’s one piece of mail I’m going to open.
.
You said — “I throw away lots of mail addressed to me unopened. Most of it appears to be credit card applications however.”
You’re rights have not been abridged, if you decide to throw that mail away. However, if the government comes and says that a certain piece of mail, you cannot handle, you cannot open and you cannot make a decision as to what you’re going to do with it — then — your rights have been abridged and compromised...
They can only do that — according our Constitution — (deprive you of rights) by due process of law. They must go to court to do that, and there’s no guaratee that they will win in court, either.
Regards,
Star Traveler
They shouldn’t have aired it. They should have reported that they got it, and the gist of what it said.
They could have posted it to their web server for those who wanted to see it.
I wanted to see it all once, unedited, not again and again and again in sanitized form. I had to turn off the TV.
I just think there may be times when we need to cooperate with investigators. NBC snubbed them when they opened the envelope. They knew it was from Cho, and decided to screw the investigation anyway, for higher ratings. It was a selfish act in my opinion.
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