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 am glad you took a look at it before they change it.
Bingo.
$$$$$.$$
You said — “I don’t believe ANY of this nuts trash should have been aired. I’d REFUSE to grant this killer his wish for recognition. He was CRAVING this but unfortunately for all the wrong reasons. A snap shot or two should have sufficed. No reason to show his hate manifesto. Dishonor him by NOT showing it.”
You’re going against a lot of other FReepers who say that it all should be released, so that the authorities do not attempt a cover-up and a whitewash of who this guy really was and where he came from — and what other “influences” caused him to do this.
So, this opinion of yours is not shared — even in the FReeper community.
Regards,
Star Traveler
What a paradox. NBC made the following statement regarding the Mohammed Cartoons back in February 2006 -
Brian Williams: “we aren’t going to broadcast the pictures for sensitivity reasons.”
But a homicidal maniac going on a diatribe against Christianity? 31 families subjected to the networks prostituting itself for the sake of ratings? No problem.
And these empty suits wonder why no one watches them anymore.
I’m telling you, these sacks of sanctimonious hypocrites should have the feet held to the fire.
$leazy.
They (the media) want to be be bigger than the story they are covering.
Excellent point.
People have a fascination with the macabre.
Don Imus is owed an apology.
You said — “No. It doesn’t. The lunatic was a nutcase and NBC gave him a platform to speak from the grave to all the other lunatics in our society.”
This i s not true — according to a lot of other threads, here on Free Republic, with fellow FReepers are saying that it is *absolutey necessary* that they release *all* of the materials.
It is being claimed (right now, on Free Republic) that there is some kind of “coverup” going on with the authorities and they are not telling us the “full story” about what motivated this guy and where he came from (in his thinking) and what else influenced him.
They are saying (i.e., the many other FReepers) that it’s essential that we are given *full access* — to the public — for all these materials to avoid this kind of coverup that they (i.e., the fellow FReepers posting) know the authorities do all the time....
Regards,
Star Traveler
Who cancelled appearing on the Today Show? Whoever it was — Good!
I’m disappointed that I can’t see all of the materials unedited. Not that I think there is some sort of Islamic connection or conspiracy, I just find this sort of case very interesting.
To call them media whores is grossly unfair to whores. They are conspirators after the fact. At least Cho was mentally ill, what's NBC's excuse.
That's an excellent example of their hypocrisy!
I saw bits and pieces of that garbage last night when the wife had it on when I got home. I won’t think about turning on the news tonight.
You said — “The conservative blogs and talkers are also guilty of hammering away at the Virginia Tech massacre 24/7.”
And that applies right here to Free Republic. There are many FReepers who believe that there is *another story* out there, which will be *evident* in the videos and papers of this shooter, Cho. And they are convinced that the authorities are attempting to “cover it up” and not tell the public all there is to be known about this guy.
Regards,
Star Traveler
I think if the media is going to publish these kinds of things they should also be required to publish the photo of the mass-murderer laying on the floor with his brains blown out to show everyone the result of such actions instead of “glorifying” him to all the sickos out there. Maybe if the sickos get a dose of reality it won’t be so glamorous anymore.
You said — “People have a fascination with the macabre.”
That’s not what these FReepers, here on this board are claiming. They are claiming a “cover-up” about where this guy came from and who influenced him. So, these FReepers are claiming that it’s a “public right” to have all this information released so that they authorities cannot cover it up....
Regards,
Star Traveler
That's NBH nothing but Ho's...isn't it?
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