'Cable networks have reached a new low'

Washington Times ^ | 10/25/02 | Jennifer Harper

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

The media were lauded by law-enforcement officials for publicizing the photos, license plate number and names of the sniper suspects.

But memories of frenzy linger.

"Cable networks have reached a new low. Covering the sniper is akin to covering a war. The press has a responsibility not to reveal tactics and troop movements, or compromise public safety. News channel coverage essentially gave the killers a free education in police procedure, and it was shamefully irresponsible," said Tom Rosenstiel of the Project for Excellence in Journalism.

[Darkshadow]

Looks like I beat you by 2 minutes,
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/775779/posts

[Ancesthntr]

The press has a responsibility not to reveal tactics and troop movements, or compromise public safety. News channel coverage essentially gave the killers a free education in police procedure, and it was shamefully irresponsible," said Tom Rosenstiel of the Project for Excellence in Journalism.

Forget these killers - they're behind bars and won't get out alive (the only question now is how long they will live). However, future killers now know a bunch about police procedures, as do foreign terrorist organizations. The latter must've been gratified to see how easily an entire area of the country can be spooked into staying home by a lone gunman, not to mention how easy it is to get several hundred or several thousand police officers diverted to roadblock duty (while, perhaps, the terrorists are busy perpetrating a mega-terror event).

Look for more of the same in the future, whether committed by psycho killers or terrorists.