EXECUTED? or MURDERED?

NBC News Channel 7 in San Diego | June 19, 2004 | NordP

[NordP]

Do words matter? Does it matter when we care enough to write to a TV anchor? Can we alter how history is reported? YES...and here's how it happened in one instance.

My husband, and I happened to be watching San Diego?s Channel 7's news at 4:30 PM yesterday, when they ran the story about Paul Johnson's beheading. We heard about it earlier in the day, but this was the first newscast we saw on TV about it. We watched in amazement, as the anchor read the story as Mr. Johnson was executed today..... At 5 PM, Marty Levin repeated virtually the same written story as the 4:30 anchor - complete with text graphics on a picture also referring to his EXECUTION. At that point, my husband couldn't take it any longer, and wrote to Marty Levin about it.

Here's what he said, and how the story unfolded - you CAN have an effect on your world...

Sent: Friday, June 18, 2004 7:58 PM To: Levin, Marty (NBC Universal) Subject: Murder.

Hi Marty,

I am a native San Diegan... I was born and raised here. In my opinion, you are one of the top three most credible anchors I have ever seen on San Diego television. That is why I am writing to you directly regarding your news-writer's choice of words regarding the Paul Johnson murder in Saudi Arabia.

My parents raised me to believe that "words matter." They do. As we listen to news broadcasts and opinion, you (your writers) and your peers have the power to shape our perceptions, consciously and subliminally, regarding every story you purvey.

Please ask your writers and graphics department to consider the following change: When reporting any killings by any terrorists, switch the word "executed" with "murder." The barbarians who beheaded Nick Berg and Paul Johnson "murdered" innocent men. Americans. Someone's brother, father, or uncle. The term "executed" implies that someone was: A) accused of a heinous crime, B) received a fair trial, and C) was convicted and sentenced to execution.

I'm sure you recognize that these killings are prima facie abject evil. Nothing more, nothing less. Any wording used to soften, or in any way euphemism these purely homicidal acts, is just unacceptable.

Perhaps you have young writers who came of age during the "symbolism-over-substance" years of Clinton, or they attended "journalism" schools where they learned to "just churn it out; no one really cares anyway, and we have deadlines..." As I see it, those of us who notice and know better, have an obligation to educate the young and ignorant among us. Like it or not, you are one of the "chosen."

Regardless, Nick Berg and Paul Johnson were murdered, not tried, sentenced, and "executed."

There are plenty of us who choose to watch your station, and more specifically, you, because of the credibility you offer -- not because of the superficiality of your looks and delivery, but for the words you choose to explain important stories.

When an innocent person is murdered, please say so. When many innocent people are killed, please explain that they had been slaughtered.

Words matter. We care. We are watching.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Jim _____ - SDPD, Retired

MARTY WROTE BACK - HERE'S WHAT HE SAID...

From: Levin, Marty (NBC Universal)

Sent: Friday, June 18, 2004 8:21 PM To: 'Jim T.' Subject: RE: Murder.

Jim,

I completely agree. Sometimes I catch it, sometimes I don't. I will make sure your letter gets the attention it deserves. Thanks for taking the time to write.

Sincerely,

Marty

And ? BY THE 11 PM NEWS, THE WORDING HAD BEEN CHANGED - MARTY EVEN "PUNCHED" THE WORD "MURDER" WHEN HE SAID IT.

THEY COMPLETELY REMOVED THE TEXT GRAPHIC USING THE WORD EXECUTION.

It matters, when we ALL care,

My husband, and I happened to be watching San Diego?s Channel 7's news at 4:30 PM yesterday, when they ran the story about Paul Johnson's beheading. We heard about it earlier in the day, but this was the first newscast we saw on TV about it. We watched in amazement, as the anchor read the story as Mr. Johnson was executed today..... At 5 PM, Marty Levin repeated virtually the same written story as the 4:30 anchor - complete with text graphics on a picture also referring to his EXECUTION. At that point, my husband couldn't take it any longer, and wrote to Marty Levin about it.

[NordP]

Please change Channel 10 to Channel 7 in the title and first paragraph of the body of this post.

Whooops! Sorry! to Channel 7 too!

[Molly Pitcher]

Excellent!! Thank you for taking the time and trouble to do this. You got results!

[blanknoone]

Great Job. Congrats on making the world a little better a little bit at a time.

[ken5050]

Outstanding...and congrats...

[jocon307]

GOOD JOB!

[kabar]

Congratulations on making a difference. I would only add that execute implies that the executioner has some sort of recognized authority to carry out the act as a legal penalty. I would add that a "fair trial" is not necessary to term an act as an execution.

[Bahbah]

That is a great letter. Good for you. BTW, I always thought you were a guy. Nord, you know.

[cripplecreek]

Its a bit off topic but did anyone see the reaction from Paul Johnson's brother? (I think it was his brother) Quite the opposite from the pathetic reaction of Michael Berg. The guy I saw was seeking revenge.

[NordP]

No, hadn't seen it, yet - thanks for the report. I'll look for his comments - or the wife's for that matter. I'm pretty sure she "gets it" too, since she's from that part of the world, and now happily lives here.

[cripplecreek]

I can't quote the guy but his comments left little doubt about the intent. He said something along the lines of (for every American you kill, there will be that many more Americans hunting you down)

[rhombus]

Nice job of taking the time to contact the media. Sometimes media bias is planned and calculating. Othertimes, it is the result of lazy reporters simply repeating "catch phrases" they've heard elsewhere. Those journalists who exhibit some degree of intellectual honesty are the ones who benefit from skillful communications such as yours.

[Piquaboy]

Good job!. We should have more people doing what you did.

[Cap Huff]

Thanks for reporting this. Good job!

[stillnoprotestsagainstmuslims]

This is like the AP when they put the word terrorist in quotes, for example: "Today Islamic "terrorists" attacked US troops...". Freggin` liberal mutts. The worst I ever seen was Newsday out on Long Island N.Y. where my parents live. This vet just came back from Iraq where he lost a foot and the headlines of the article on him read "Long Island "hero" returns home" WHOA!! Can you imagine? It truly says a lot about what they believe doesn`t it? Who they are siding with.

[NordP]

You made Jim's day - "skillful communications" - thanks!!!

[Simcha7]

SHALOM!

Thank You for Caring and for Making A Difference!

WORDS DO MATTER...They are POWERFUL, once spoken We cannot take them BACK.

EXCELLENT POST!

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD.

[NordP]

It's funny, my husband is looking over my shoulder --normally not a FReeper, like me, and he's amazed that so many have read our words.

I just told him FREEPERS RULE!

It's so great when you take action, and you get results. We DO have a voice! Now, go out and walk precincts in your areas. Call your local RNC or go to W's website, and get involved. When you walk your precinct (or neighborhood) you only have to talk to voters that vote the way you do. You then know who's who in your neighborhood, AND you only have to give them a hangtag, for their front doors, containing the info on the key players and/or initiatives for that election. It's a great weight loss/health program at the same time!

Please help W win - it's a matter of World Security.

okay I'm off MY soapbox now ;-)

NordP

[Miss Marple]

Thank you so much for posting this thread, and thanks to your husband for his eloquent letter about the situation! Good work, Nord! We ALL need to be speaking up over things like this. You and your husband have set a good example for us all.

[ohioWfan]

Bookmarked for later reading.... THANKS, NordP!