When there is a mass murder, like Columbine, should they show the attacker's names and show their pictures?

Question

Another mass murder in the US, and they keep showing the murderer's name and showing his picture. That is what he wanted, fame in death!

Do you think the media is only promoting mass murder by doing so?

Whoaskedyou - the problem is the media won't show him/her once....it is time after time, day after day. I know the names of the Columbine attackers and can even see their faces in my mind, but NOT ONE VICTIM. That's just wrong, but I can't wipe their hideous faces from my mind, thanks to the media showing 24/7. We MUST stop glamorizing murderers!

Seedna, I agree, show the parent's names and pics! How could that be going on in their home and they not know? Poor parenting!

Macca, YES! Murderers should be forgotten, but it hasn't worked that way, they live on in infamy, while their victims die in obscurity. A double crime!

itssocial, I completely agree, I don't want additional laws. I'm a libertarian also! LESS GOVERNMENT PLEASE!

Answer 1

Some people call is sensationalism, I call it irresponsible journalism. As one who was a member of the written media I can tell you first hand, it's all about ratings. It's about who can pull in the most viewers or sell the most newspapers.

In school my professors told me repeatedly that the truth was the most important factor of any story. Report the facts without adding any editorial edge. I made a successful career by sticking to that ideal. Of course that was years ago and things seemed to have changed a great deal.

My respect for the media in general is far less today than yesterday. In the case of yesterdays shootings I can only say that the media has a job to do, (whatever that entails) and the parameters of that job has seemingly taken a turn for the worse.

Frankly I'm surprised that the networks haven't yet moved into the realm "Shock Journalism", whereby they show the actual murders taking place. Unfortunately that will be the next step in the evolution of the media.

Answer 2

This person cut the very thread of what our lives stand for. We cannot fathom that we could be with our family at a mall during the holiday season and someone could make a choice (a thought out choice) to take the lives of our fellow men. To play the mentally ill card puts a pit in my stomach. Bi-Polar, anxiety, and depression run in my family, there have been multiple suicides. Yes, he was obviously sick, but so are more than half of our population. His mental illness was a factor, but I think it was a small factor. He had a sense of entitlement also in my opinion. I was intriqued by this story and I even cried. This goes against everything I believe. I am hoping the media has not reported about the families because they are doing the right thing and letting the next of kin absorb this horrific event, but I know it is not true. I live in Salt Lake City and after the Trolly Square shooting in February they showed the perp and did a quick bio on him, but I can remember each and everyone of the victims and why they were at the mall and who they were with. Thanks to our local media they did spin this to honor the lives lost and not the one that ended those lost lives.

I wish you all happiness in life.

Answer 3

Great question. I didn't know any of these people but I'm still affected by their death. I agree that the victims should be reported also, if their families allow it. We should know that these are real people that died, real lives destroyed, real families torn apart, children traumatized for life. Their grief doesn't end when the news is over. I agree that this troubled young man is being glamourized. They shouldn't show his picture, they shouldn't interview classmates or workmates or anything, if they don't also interview the families of the victims.

But to the person calling for his dismemberment, that's just sick. He was mentally ill which a lot of people don't or won't understand. He wasn't evil, he wasn't "one of those weird kids", he was just a very very sick young man. No one recognized how far gone he was until it was too late. Is it possible to see him as a victim too? Or is it easier to just hate him for what he did?

Answer 4

I think they should focus more on those who have lost their family and friends at this time of year. He did want fame in death and he is getting it but at a terrible cost to many people. The issue of copy-cats came up earlier today, as well. I do think they place too much attention on the lives of the murderers and not enough of the lives of those that were lost.

Yes, some want to know the name of the murderer, but I think the lives of those lost should be the ones we see on TV. Let the criminal psychologist's study the man's life. Let the rest of us see the lives of those lost and maybe there will be less promoting of killing fame.

Answer 5

No, they shouldn't glorify these people who commit horrific acts upon people.
The murders should be forgotten.
The media has a passion for promoting the worst in humans. This is why I don't watch the news. When was the last time you saw a story about something good?

Answer 6

I think it's wrong to show it off.I mean the kids that shot up Columbine wanted to be recognized for something, anything, all the media does is glorify there actions.

Answer 7

each time I see a image of that guy grinning from ear to ear like some style of clown i'm getting this overwhelming urge to %. up a brick and throw it on the television, hoping he have been there in individual.

Answer 8

I have to agree, I don't see the point in showing the murderer. When they kept showing the guy from the Virginia Tech shooting, it is pretty much etched in my head and creeps me out still.

If anything they should show the mugs of the parents of these kids.

Answer 9

I agree ethically that they shouldnt show it. Especially since its just what they want. However with web2.0, youtube, etc, the media is a business, and if they dont show it, someone else will. Although it doesnt need to be the first thing you see.

Answer 10

I think that they should reveal who was responsible. Usually, the responsible party either kills themselves or is kill by the authorities. The only reason I can see that they wouldn't is not to embarass the families affected. They usually receive harassment because of what their relative or friend has done.