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.
Actually, the USPS recommends that you DO NOT open any suspicious looking packages. There were signs in every USPS office showing an example of a suspicious looking letter. Now if you want to open those types of letters, that is your choice. If someone sends me a letter with Allah Akbar written on it or some Islamic looking return address. That letter is going straight to the trash if only slightly suspicious or will be reported to local officials if highly suspicious.
Why? Do you think it's really helpful to watch these so called journalists and their so called experts analyze this when they are fully unqualified either by resume or totality of information?
If I’m a witness to something and the authorities tell me not to say anything about it or keep quiet, I’ll tell them to “shove it” and I’ll say whatever I want to say and I’ll release whatever I want to release. That’s my *total determination* and it does not involve the authorities...
Big deal...with rights come responsibilities.
If they must show a picture, show one of the perp with his face blown off.
Have fun.
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...
Well, we recently passed legislation that allows citizens to opt out of junk mailings. If someone sends me a letter that obviously has white powder falling out of it, the USPS is going to held liable if they deliver anthrax into my office.
Well, I understand how you feel, but begging the government to censor what we see and hear probably isn’t a good answer. ;)
You said — “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.”
I may decide to cooperate with a piece of mail, but that — in no way — takes away my right to open it and examine it, if I decide to do so. So, it’s this right that I’m talking about. And if the government wants to abridge that right — then — they can go to court and get that court order. It will be *my decision* in the first and and last place — and no government authorities are going to tell me any differently.
Regards,
Star Traveler
NBC did the right thing. I’m tired of the media deciding what to show and what not to show. I want it all shown, so that I can decide what’s the truth, rather than having some liberal network exec deciding what news is important for me.
Their decision to air that stuff is just sick beyond words.
You said — “Why? Do you think it’s really helpful to watch these so called journalists and their so called experts analyze this when they are fully unqualified either by resume or totality of information?”
I really don’t care what the journalists say, in the way of “analysis” — but only in the way of factual information. If they want to analyze, well I tell them to “have at it” — but I don’t have to listen, if I don’t want to. I only want the raw facts and whatever pertains to that. The rest of what they say, well..., I’ll take under advisement.
.
You said — “Big deal...with rights come responsibilities.”
And that will be me who will determine those responsibilities, and not the authorities or my neighbors.
Regards,
Star Traveler
Ever since the cancellation of Imus, I’ve come to the conclusion that Steve Capus is an idiot.
Why do parents of victims want to cry on national TV. Must be the Jerry Springer attitude. Serves no purpose but to let people know they hurt.
NBC has finally showed some Chestnuts.
What more are we to learn from this incoherent, rambling nonsense that we already don't know about this unhinged maniac?
No. Most of the world is sane. This info was put out so folks could see who the killer was and what he was about. The idea that it should be kept from everyone to prevent copycats is ridiculous.
You said — “Well, we recently passed legislation that allows citizens to opt out of junk mailings. If someone sends me a letter that obviously has white powder falling out of it, the USPS is going to held liable if they deliver anthrax into my office.”
Opt out I can understand. That remains your decision.
Well, being safe with your mail is important, too. And so, public safety *will* in many instances trump individual rights and courts would allow that, if necessary. And that’s the function that the courts have — which is to mediate and make decisions between competing rights.
Regards,
Star Traveler
Good point. NBC hyped that they had this exclusive; started advertising it in the early afternoon to get their ratings up for the evening news. They succeeded...Drudge reports a blow-out for NBC on this story — very high audience.
The decision was based solely on the almighty buck. Disgraceful.
I sent FNC a very nasty email this morning, I was sickened by their continued coverage of the video.
But the blame goes to NBC; they “own it” as Brian William said before the decision to air it and others followed suit.
I'm not convinced that publicity is what these wackos seek. I think their deed is done when they are dead. If they wanted to bask in their glory, they would be captured and flaunt the system.
And as for troubling the families by the broadcast of the offenders thoughts, I am sure the families are grieving and not watching NBC. And I'd add, if that bothers anyone, TV's have an ON/OFF button.
As for copycats, bring them on. Let's finally purge the gene pool of these subhuman types. The copycats already has the idea and probability of action, just waiting for the spirit to move them. I don't think I can count on one hand copycats to these tragedies. Can someone provide a list of the original crime and the copycat crime. This talk was good for a tv movie, but doesn't really hold water.
I wish NBC would have broadcast everything in it entirety, but time will not allow. That is a job for the newspapers. A 3000 word diatribe cannot be scheduled for TV.
I e-mailed FNC last night and told them that one news cycle was enough. It’s bad enough we have weeks and months worth of coverage of an endless parade of human debris.
Amen. Sometimes I wonder what people are thinking. The same group that was so upset that the networks stopped showing the planes crashing into the WTC towers are the same ones that are so upset that the press is finally releasing information.
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