Posted on 04/03/2014 8:25:09 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd
Fox News host Megyn Kelly announced Wednesday night that she will not be using the name of the Fort Hood shooter on her show.
“Authorities are identifying the shooter. If you’re interested you can get his name on other shows, like the one that preceded this one and online, but we have decided not to name these mass killers here as a policy here on the ‘Kelly File.’ Too often it is infamy they seek, and we decline to help,” Kelly said at the beginning of her show.
Suspected shooter, Army Spc. Ivan Lopez, allegedly shot and killed three people and injured 16 others before turning the gun on himself Wednesday.
Later on the show Kelly said, “The nationality of the shooter, it sounds Hispanic, Latino, but you can look up his name online if you care to know more.”
Lopez was an Iraq war veteran, who was being evaluated for posttraumatic stress disorder but had not been diagnosed.
"We do know that this soldier had behavioral health and mental health issues and was being treated for that," said Lt. Gen. Mark Milley, head of the Army's III Corps at Fort Hood.
Miley said there is no evidence that the shooting is terror related.
In October, before her show began, Kelly said she would no longer name mass shooting suspects, like the Navy Yard shooter, who was also suspected of having mental illness.
Lopez was an Iraq war veteran, who was being evaluated for posttraumatic stress disorder but had not been diagnosed.
"I think we should all do it. If they want to find out the names of these people who do this, who shoot up places or take themselves out in a blaze of glory, go look it up online if they need to know the names," Kelly said in October.
“Miss Ditz”, or Mrs, if applicable..
The victims and their families will get to here the “A-hole’s” name a thousand times in the next few weeks. Thier loved ones? Maybe a few times on air then back to...BREAKING: Where is flight MH370?
Do you think these victims and their families will every hear “the killer’s” name and not cringe?
Was this attack modeled on or an attempt to at least emulate the previous killer? Yes, that’s very likely.
Was it an attempt to gain fame or infamy? Yes, most definitely.
As I said in another post here, we had a local radio host (Al Roney) that for a long time flat refused to use the name of a mass killer on air. Megan Kelly is from here!
She made a point, now it’s a story => I’m good with it,
The point is, she is making a statement... and it is quite valid. I doubt she can make a big enough wake to get any attention on the matter, but she is right. These murderous demons get their names immortalized through the media. When it is all done, every dead, innocent person is tallied in the XX number of dead and we walk away remembering only the name of the evil bastard who killed them. You can't necessarily blame the media for it, they are simply reporting what happened and who did it (well, for the most part). She isn't saying she can keep him from becoming famous, shes asking why can't we cooperate and keep if from happening.
Apparently he drove a truck in Iraq.
I’m sure it was stressful.
IED’s are stressful.
That is what the media is afraid of; i.e. reporting that the attacks are generated by Third World Demographics who have a “grievance.” As the “Third World” events accumulate Americans may wake up and demand expulsion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spot on! Along with all the other hypotheticals...yours makes a lot of sense.......
This is the right way to go. Stop IDing these perps and the incidents of mass murder will decrease greatly. Knowing that their name and face will be plastered all over only serves to encourage them.
Run the risk you fear. Most of the attacks will be by Third World people and we should know that fact. We do not want what the MSM does with black thugs running riot; i.e. call them “youths,” “Teens,” etc. etc.
From the standpoint of a thirty-year journalist, I respectfully disagree. I can understand her rationale, but Kelly’s job is not to make value judgments. Her job is to report facts.
Yes, she’s made her point. But from a journalistic standpoint, she’s wrong. The shooter made world news and her reporting was deliberately incomplete. In my newsroom that would earn her some time off.
If the shooters name was Abdul Mohammed would she feel the same?
Maybe that’s why this is her policy. She knows it’s just a matter of time before a muslim kills someone and she’ll have her excuse for not reporting the “muslim” aspect of it.
Megan Kelly does not strictly do a news show. It’s commentary, opinion and sometimes yes even controversy.
Back you my example of the local radio host here that for years refused to name mass killers on air. He would say: “If you want to hear his name listen to the world news at the top of the hour. You will not here me say it.” That’s his perogative. His job wasn’t reading news copy and neither is Megan Kelly’s job.
When Megan Kelly is reporting news, she’s a news reporter. The problem with FNC, and actually almost all cable news organizations, is that they blur the line between news and entertainment. You’re of course right to note the distinction.
If she is speaking in an interview setting, she’s within her rights. As a reporter/anchor, she is not.
From FNC: “The Kelly File focuses on late-breaking stories as well as in-depth investigative reports along with newsmaker interviews. The program also capitalizes on Kelly’s skills as a former litigator and will provide a platform to discuss developing angles as events unfold and embraces a stronger social media presence.”
Imho, Kelly should have named the shooter.
Probably doesn’t want to upset Muslims
Make that: “Back to...”
FYI...I’m typing on a phone with my fat thumbs and auto fill is not my friend.
I gotcha. No worries. :)
Yes, I will concede she is making a point in a way that is not in keeping with journalist standards. However, it’s a point well made for that very reason. And...I tend to agree with this point. I don’t think she is advocating that that the finer details not be released, but she is criticizing the hoopla that will be generated around these infamous figures that will without question encourage more of the same.
I respect her stance. She is exactly right that they want infamy, and the news shows, in their race to fill 24 hours of programming, give these nuts all the fame and glory they are seeking.
Not her specifically, but you’re kidding yourself if you don’t think knowing his face and name would be plastered for weeks on the news was not part of his motivation for doing this instead of just committing suicide.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.