**And I asked it in the Politics section, because you are the people I communicate with most here on Y!A.**
WABC7, the local New York affiliate of the ABC network, has decided not to air that reading of the names of those that died in the 9/11 terrorists attacks next Tuesday. Many family members are offended by it.
It has been six years. Do you think ABC is right in switching to regular programming and skipping the name reading?
Your thoughts on this matter are greatly appreciated.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/09/07/2007-09-07_ch_7_will_tune_out_reading_of_911_victim.html
2007-09-07 02:12:39 · 10 answers · asked by Still Beautifully Conservative 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
The viewers will let them know. Me personally I think the should air them. They should never be forgotten.
2007-09-07 02:20:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I was there on 911 so I guess I'm qualified to answer. Look at it this way. It's been six years now. I don't think it's reasonable to expect that the local affiliates in NYC are going to air 2.5 hours worth of name readings and other ceremonies every 9/11. It saps a lot of their time, resources, and revenue. Maybe that sounds cold and it's not meant to be. But eventually they stopped broadcasting the reading of names from Pearl Harbor too. It doesn't mean the name readings can't or shouldn't go on. Maybe it's just a sign that the rest of us are ready to go on too.
And for the record, I've about had it with the victims's relatives. They are always "offended" by some perception that their loved ones are not being properly honored. They are part of the reason it took five years to start construction of the new tower. Seriously they act like was their day. It was OUR day.
2007-09-07 02:27:56 · answer #2 · answered by douglas l 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am a non New Yorker. My opinion is that it is a judgment call at best. It is not to say let us not forgot, but it is time to move on. It was a great tragedy that shaped us. However, we do not read the names of the brave American soldiers who put themselves in harms way and made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq. These people just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. They did not deserve to die like they did.
This is yet another area where the free market system will work. If people are bothered enough by it, the station's ratings will go down and they will change this policy.
2007-09-07 02:35:32 · answer #3 · answered by krupsk 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their choice---
ABC isn't obligated to do anything for any particular group...
BTW, do we read the names of the Pearl Harbor victims each Dec 7th? Or the Murrah building victims in OK City? What about a reading of KAtrina vicitms each August?
While indeed tragic, there is nothing particularly special about one set of victims versus another. They are all equally dead and each represents some special loss to a family. To focus upon one group at the expense of many others elevates their status, unfairly. These folks weren't "martyrs", but rather, normal people, like everyone else, who were in an unfortunate place and time.
2007-09-07 02:30:03 · answer #4 · answered by outcrop 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That's going to be a pretty solemn event and likely those tuning in aren't going to gain a TV network much money.
Money and ratings... Kind of harsh, but few networks feel obligated towards peoples feelings unless they can profit from it.
2007-09-07 02:22:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Non-New Yorker opinion here. I think ABC is doing the right thing. As time goes on, wounds heal. Memorials get smaller and smaller. But this is how life is.
Nothing against the families of course.
2007-09-07 02:19:42 · answer #6 · answered by mustagme 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I don't think they are right.I see how it could cause bad ratings but in my opinion that's less important than not hurting the feelings of family members who lost loved ones on 9/11.It's important to them because it shows them they are not suffering alone and America still cares about what happened that day
I certainly don't believe they should be forced to air them,freedom of the media is very important and essential, but if you ask me are they right then my answer is no.
I think it's bad taste and disrespectful
2007-09-07 02:40:30 · answer #7 · answered by justgoodfolk 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
LOL! Bush and the lunatic right-wing fringe pitched a hissy fit when Nightline wanted to read the names of the soldiers Bush has killed in his bogus Iraqi misadventure. That was 2 years ago. The list is much longer now.
Why are republicans so eager to forget their names?
2007-09-07 02:28:09 · answer #8 · answered by obl_alive_and_well 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
My personal opinion is that they are run by Liberals and hate America and do not support the soldiers but love the money they get from bad and misrepresented news.
2007-09-07 02:19:57 · answer #9 · answered by bulletbob36 3 · 3⤊ 5⤋
It's a tough call. I guess their ratings will indicate whether it was a good idea or not............
2007-09-07 02:18:10 · answer #10 · answered by Brian 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋