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We've all been inundated with news, stories and images
from the tragic events that occurred at Virginia Tech earlier this week. The
story has been told from several angles, focusing on the victims, the police and
school response, the shooter and, now, the media's handling of the event -
specifically the airing of bone-chilling videos and pictures the shooter sent to
NBC. The videos and photos were initially aired heavily by NBC and,
subsequently, other networks; however, the airings were drastically cut back
after backlash from the victims' families, the general audience and other media.
In fact, according to the Los Angeles Times, parents of two victims canceled a
scheduled appearance on The Today Show in protest.
One comment on MSNBC.com's message board reads: "What is
the standard? There is a fine line
between news and exploitation, between the public's need to know and
tastelessness. NBC crossed it."
I have to partially agree with the writer. I don't think
that NBC (or other stations) should have aired the footage as quickly as they
did, but I am not sure that it should not have been aired at all. The public is
curious about what drove this person to commit such a heinous act. I think the
station could have waited a while, learned
more about the shooter and gained some perspective on the tragedy before
choosing limited portions and images
to air. With more information and insight, there may have been more of a news
element to the airings. Right now it is just salt on an open wound. In the end, I think that this
is exactly what the shooter intended
when he sent this package to NBC. He wanted the world to see his messages of
anger and hate. And he got it.
I am curious to hear what other people think on this
matter. Was NBC right in airing the footage? Are the videos themselves
news?
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