Should NBC News Have Shown The Killer's Manifesto And Video ?

Question

I heard a great debate this morning on the radio . And I am interested in your opinions .

For the record , I tend to think that it should not have been shown on Free Access Network News . I've heard several stories about how this has affected children , and with Free Access Network News , there's no way we could have prevented our children from viewing this .
But I have another reason to add . I think the Murderer(btw , the news media often refers to him as the 'gunman' or the 'shooter' ) wanted to have his video seen by all , and that's why he sent it to a news company . Surely , there are other sick people who can and probably will emulate his style and behavior. . . . . . Looking for that Big Event in the news to show us all just how deranged they are .
Nevermind the fact that they are seeking Glory for Murder. . . . . a Glory that they will never see !!

What are your opinions ?

Answer 1

I agree that the video should not have been shown. Especially over and over again during the 6:00 news, or during prime time programming. It's very disturbing that the media did not take into account the many people that have been affected by this massacre. It sickens me that what he's done has been glorified by the media. They could have waited until a later date. Then air it during an after 10:00pm news show, with warning for those who didn't care to see it.

Answer 2

It was all a part of his big plan. He committed the first shootings at the dorm and then made the video and sent it to NBC. He then committed the second shootings and ended it with shooting his own face off so it would take longer to be identified. He sent the video to NBC, so they would know who he was first and show it. Unfortunately, he sent it to the wrong address and they didn't get it Tuesday like they think he originally planned. They got it after he was actually identified. I think he did this to make sure that he got on the air.

I think NBC should have said, "we got a video of the shooter but we are refusing to show it," then they should have just turned it over to the FBI.

There is no way that the families can feel good about seeing they guy on National TV after he slaughtered part of so many families. I think NBC was wrong and they just gave him what he wanted and I am sure that there are other deranged people looking at it and drooling at the mouth in hopes of doing something like this themselves. I think that NBC is just adding fuel to a fire that needs to be extinguished and they should stop showing any parts of the video. Unfortunately, there are enough people out there that want to see it and NBC will get much higher rating for having shown it. So we are actually part of the problem.

Answer 3

Earnest T ... In the days when newscasts presented the news, a more tactful approach would have been used to tell this story.

NOW, though, almost anything goes, unfortunately. Ratings first and journalistic standards be damned. Instead of calling it "NBC Nightly News," they ought to call it the "30* Rock 'Em & Shock 'Em Show with Brian Williams."

Does Williams have a lot of say-so regarding the style and flavor or the newscast? I don't frankly know, but since he's their front man, he must take at least a small share of the blame, in my view.

* As you might have known, "30 Rock" refers to NBC's headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC.

By the way, sorry for such a sarcastic-sounding answer, but these folks who run the mainstream media outlets OUGHT to know better. But like many other aspects of American culture/society, the quality of what's acceptable has slowly and steadily been degrading for the past few decades. Journalistic veterans — Edward R. Murrow, John Chancellor, Douglas Edwards, and Frank Reynolds, just to name a few — would be shocked to the point of being embarrassed for the poor judgment of their fellow journalists.

Today their standard is, "If we can't impress them with what we know, then let's just shock 'em with some gore. As long as we call it news, they won't even know the difference."

Just my humble opinion.

Answer 4

News is news. I have made the personal choice not to watch it. When the news media decided to stop airing the 9/11 footage because it would further traumatize the country I disagreed with them. Is the media organization showing it for any reason other then to improve their ratings? NO. Is it hurtful and disrespectful? YES. Do they have a right to show it? YES. We do not want to put restrictions on the freedom of the press or our rights to own guns as a response to this tragedy?. Lets not through the baby out with the bath water.

Answer 5

I would say no. It gives credibility to his actions and gives him the fame he was seeking. I doubt NBC even seriously debated weather they would air it. It will give them ratings. The problem is that normal people will see it and see what a sick individual this person was. Others will be encouraged to go out in a blaze of glory, so to speak. I think that it would be best to just report the news and leave Cho's warped views out of it. By airing Cho's crap it will also just hurt the families of the victims and they have been thru enough already.

Answer 6

At first I wanted to see it, now I wish I hadn't ! The Drive By Media has shown it so much that I am sick, I think it is a mistake, and I was wrong, but I guess I am a bit of a hypocrite to complain now, since I wanted to see it at first.

Answer 7

A liberal minded, ratings hungry network did exactly what they did & what they have been doing reporting everything else happening in this country & the world. They might as well be the TV version of the Enquirer after this. Sensationalism sells, good for them & hope they can hold their heads high at NBC.

Answer 8

He shouldn't be glorified for his murderous rampage. That is disrespectful to the families and the victims. He should just be known as "the killer." Who wants to see their loved ones killers picture splashed all over the TV and newspaper? It has to be painful. I hope these networks are pleased with themselves for appeasing this murderer.

I have yet to hear any names or stories about the victims. That is what should be on the news.

Answer 9

Yes they are in the business to get information and news to the public. NBC did what they are in the business of doing. I just hope this event teaches everyone to show a little kindness to everyone.

Answer 10

I Think the Decision was Ultimately Based on Money. Newsworthiness or Profit?