Since NBC complied with the Virginia Tech killer's desires to have himself splashed all over national television, the question arises: Did NBC act unethically by promoting Cho Seung-hui's videos?
Jack M. makes a good, if somewhat profane, case in the affirmative:
These guys are idiots.
I can't believe they aired all this crap the shooter sent.
I can't believe they are giving his "manifesto" serious air time.
Lemme make an analogy here:
Ever watched a baseball game on say, WTBS or WGN, when some asshat jumps on the field?
What happens?
The producers of the game pull their cameras off the field. They focus on the broadcast booth. They focus on the dugouts. They focus on the bullpen.
Story Continues Below Ad ↓They keep attention on everything but the idiot running around in the outfield, to deny him the attention he so obviously craves.
But NBC/MSNBC?
Game on, brother! They might as well be inviting the rest of the idiots in the stands to take a lap around the basepaths.
I'm inclined to mostly agree. If I were running NBC, I would have done some still shots and no videos.
I also can't help but wonder: How does whether or not NBC should promote Cho tapes relate to whether or not 9/11 videos showing airliners crashing into the World Trade Center? Is it hypocritical to be in favor of showing one and not the other?
Update 12:40. It could be that NBC Sports and NBC News are being consistent in refusing to show game-interrupting morons but broadcasting a killer.
What if it's all about the money?
Showing streakers and assorted morons probably does inspire others to do the same, which is bad for NBC Sports's bottom line. But showing the self-glorifying video of a killer gets NBC ratings which equal money.
That doesn't explain their decision not to show the 9/11 tapes, however.
Update 12:50. Some faultlines in the all-Cho-all-the-time television foundation. ABC News releasing the following statement to TVNewser:
We are planning to severely limit the use of the video. Obviously in the first news cycle there's some breaking news value to that video. But once that first news cycle has passed, the repetition of it is little more than pornography.
Going forward for us on the existing video you might see a still or you might see a brief clip of the video without the audio attached to it.
Obviously there is new video that somehow broke new ground on the story, we would have a discussion about that.
NBC, by the way does have a policy of "limiting" the videos' use. Not much more than fig leaf in my estimation:
We will limit the use of the video to 10 percent of our airtime -- translating to no more than 6 minutes per hour on MSNBC.
Update 12:59. Canadian broadcaster says NBC should not have aired the videos at all:
"I have long admired NBC News and I am sure my admiration of their journalists will endure," says CBC News editor-in-chief Tony Burman . "But I think their handling of these tapes was a mistake. As I watched them last night, sickened as I'm sure most viewers were, I imagined what kind of impact this broadcast would have on similarly deranged people. ... I had this awful and sad feeling that there were parents watching these excerpts on NBC who were unaware they they will lose their children in some future copycat killing triggered by these broadcasts."
L.A. Times TV reporter Matea Gold, meanwhile, provides a look into the process of how NBC got the tapes and dealt with them once they arrived.
Update 1:10. Fox News Channel says it will not use the videos.
Update 1:14. After a backlash from the public and competitors, NBC has released this statement:
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. 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 and Policies chief reviewed all material before it was released. One of our most experienced correspondents, 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 decision to run this video was reached by virtually every news organization in the world, as evidenced by coverage on television, on websites 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.
—Matthew Sheffield is the creator of NewsBusters and its Executive Editor.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Matt..."Ethics" a
April 19, 2007 - 11:22 ET by Tim the EnchanterMatt...
"Ethics" and "MSM" in the same sentence? That one should answer itself!
baby cho
April 19, 2007 - 13:18 ET by tejanodiabloOMG .. now the word is out, baby cho was laughed at, picked on and bullied as he was growing up .. now the libs are free to exculpate his actions and blame the guns and gun laws/lobby for everything .. ban guns, ban firecrackers, ban meanness .. oh, wait, that would hurt hillary wouldn't it .. well, let's ban something .. let's march, call in jesse and al and et al .. maybe everyone could have $400. haircuts to raise money for .... something liberal to make us feel better ..
never look a gift skunk in the tail ..
Cho Video
April 19, 2007 - 17:38 ET by EdguardoCho's video was the best thing that ever happened to NBC news. Huge ratings bonanza for them last night!!
They'll probably offer to pay for his funeral....
In NBC's mind (to answer your
April 19, 2007 - 11:26 ET by UnsaneIn NBC's mind (to answer your last question) it is hardly hypocritical.
The WTC footage is never shown because doing so only will serve to increase American militarism.
The footage of the deranged student, with much emphasis shifted to his gun-wielding antics, is to encourage Americans to accept that guns are lethal, freewill-usurping machines, and MUST be banned.
Both policies serve NBC's interests in seeing to it that the United States becomes a whiny, toothless, powerless nation where the government and media know all, and know what is best.
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
Unsane,And it will not
April 19, 2007 - 11:48 ET by Dave RUnsane,
And it will not matter one bit that NBC has engaged in this shameful act of immortalizing a low-life murderer, even in the event there is a (God forbid) copy-cat incident in the next few days or weeks, as they, along with their MSM compadres, will be too busy blaming the gun, the NRA, the rich, global warming and GWB for it all.
The powers-that-be at NBC are totally devoid of any semblance of a conscience.
This republic will not survive the continued neglect of its people.-
Neal Boortz.
I agree, Dave R. Instead of
April 19, 2007 - 12:02 ET by GalvanicI agree, Dave R. Instead of quietly turning over the evidence to the police, NBC jumped at their "windfall" exclusive, regardless of the consequences. In doing so, they completed the scenario of the psychopath's apparent revenge killings. Psychopaths with similar proclivities will follow suit.
Thus, Cho will be immortalized as the celebrity --- albeit notorious --- in this massacre, and not people like the engineering professor and Holocaust survivor, who blocked a door long enough for his class to escape, but not before he himself was fatally wounded.
Thanks again, NBC, for putting the Almight Bucks before public safety.
Cho will never know about it,
April 19, 2007 - 16:29 ET by vee105Cho will never know about it, he is DEAD!
Please show the tape, apparently the school did not know what "CRAZY" meant.
"I also can't help but
April 19, 2007 - 11:36 ET by JDW"I also can't help but wonder: How does whether or not NBC should promote Cho tapes relate to whether or not 9/11 videos showing airliners crashing into the World Trade Center? Is it hypocritical to be in favor of showing one and not the other?"
Add the decapitations to your inquiry.
We can watch terrorists shoot down our military abroad yet when was the last time you watched just the opposite?
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
If you are going to whine about spelling... get a life
RATINGS!!! ALL NETWORKS are
April 19, 2007 - 11:49 ET by nicksmith112RATINGS!!!
ALL NETWORKS are GUILTY!!
I've seen enough. I change the channel!
But you know, nick, the MSM
April 19, 2007 - 15:29 ET by motherbeltBut you know, nick, the MSM didn't think Americans were smart enough to change the channel if they didn't want to see re-broadcasts of the WTC falling down. We had to be "protected" from being hurt. So they made a conscious decision not to show it. This, however, was a "scoop" so they played into the murderer's hands.
The MSM is motivated by ideol
April 19, 2007 - 12:09 ET by mattmThe MSM is motivated by ideology first, then ratings. If a story arises that has no apparent socio/political aspect to it that would benefit the Liberal cause, then the factor determining coverage will be ratings. In the reverse case, where the story would not help the Liberal cause (such as the 911 video), ideology takes priority over ratings so coverage is minimized.
I love this website but I que
April 19, 2007 - 12:12 ET by MassConservativeI love this website but I question why you have decided to include still photos of this idiot in the stories on the tapes. Isn't this doing the same thing we are accusing NBC of doing and giving face time to this a-hole??
Is it asking too much to remove the photos from these stories?
It's the information age. Jus
April 19, 2007 - 12:30 ET by rubylensIt's the information age. Just get the information out there--all of it--and let the people make of it what they will. NBC should just give it all out via the internet and let less-censored sources distribute it to those who want to see it for whatever reason. If I were a psychiatrist or psychologist, I would very much want to see every last second of footage and every rambling word the guy wrote for professional reasons. As a citizen who would like to see a few more of these nutjobs get help before they start shooting, I'd like as many people analyzing this stuff as possible if it helps to see the signs earlier in just one more "troubled" young man.
I know we want to avoid encouraging copycats. And I know the knowledge that a great deal of public interest in this "manifesto" is prurient morbid gawking is distasteful. But many of us also want to know what a potential spree killer looks and sounds like. This might be an unprecedented treasure-trove of insight. Or it might be useless. How can we, the public, possibly judge that based on these heavily-redacted snippets taken out of context (or whatever context there is in the ramblings of a madman)?
The "Look"?
April 19, 2007 - 12:46 ET by JimboAre you suggesting that a mass murder "looks" a certain way? And that this "look" can be determined by watching this video? I wish that were true, but I know the ACLU would have a problem with that.
Jimbo says - "There is a fine line between freedom of speech and treason"
No, I'm not suggesting any su
April 19, 2007 - 13:02 ET by rubylensNo, I'm not suggesting any such thing. But then again, I wouldn't know. Perhaps if we had a repository of knowledge and evidence on this guy, we'd know what kinds of things to be on the lookout for in the future. Not South Korean kids or guys who shave their heads, but general mannerisms perhaps or the types of things he thinks/says. I know that not all killers show any kind of sign at all before they start killing. Apparently Whitman, the UT tower shooter of 1966, seemed completely and totally normal and well-adjusted all the way up until the moment he started killing people. And there are plenty of accounts of serial killers who seemed like "normal, nice guys" even after they started collecting heads in their freezers.
I used to be a high school teacher and felt helpless in many ways when confronted with "weird" or "disturbed"-seeming students in my classes. Now as a parent, I want the professionals who have my children in their care all day, every day, to be armed with whatever information there is to be had about this kind of person if there's even the tiniest chance of preventing one of these events in the future. That's all.
I would just like the ability to have access to what information there is and judge FOR MYSELF if it is useful or informative to me in particular or to society at large. I'm tired of the media deciding on my behalf what is too "delicate" or "sensitive" for me to see or hear. Let me decide to turn the channel if I'm offended or think it's not useful. Just let ME decide!!!
mass killers
April 19, 2007 - 14:08 ET by tejanodiabloa mass killer may look like Ralphie .. just look at what he did to the baddies with his Red Ryder BB gun .. Ban the BB gun culture and make America safe for Rosie !!
never look a gift skunk in the tail ..
mass killers
April 19, 2007 - 14:11 ET by tejanodiablooh, wait, he was shooting baddies wasn't he .. wasn't that a good thing ? .. have to check in with the aclu .. might be criminal abrogation of the baddies civil rights ..
never look a gift skunk in the tail ..
Ralphie
April 19, 2007 - 14:12 ET by JimboIf I am not mistaken, just before almost shooting his eye out, Ralphie was fighting a villian called "Black Bart". Wait a second....can I say that without being called a racist?
Jimbo says - "There is a fine line between freedom of speech and treason"
I recognize the danger in pro
April 19, 2007 - 14:18 ET by rubylensI recognize the danger in profiling all angst-filled, moody, withdrawn, "troubled" young men as potential mass murderers. That's not what I'm suggesting. If we locked up all the young men who wrote disturbing things or drew violent pictures, or similar things, we wouldn't have many young men left! I just think it's useful to examine Cho's psychology along with that of other mass murderers to extrapolate generalities about these people for future reference (to the extent that it is possible). Like I said, if such information can be used to get help for just one "ticking time bomb" out there before it is too late, I'm for it.
timing tick bombs
April 19, 2007 - 14:37 ET by tejanodiablobut you could only arrest or detain them if they were white, rich, republicans .. otherwise, jesse and al would have your butt for tramping on the brothers, CAIR would have you for racial profiling innocent imams of a peaceful religion, illegal meskins would say they own the southwest, etc., etc.
never look a gift skunk in the tail ..
Were the shootings motivated
April 19, 2007 - 15:00 ET by JDWWere the shootings motivated by class, race, wealth...?
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
If you are going to whine about spelling... get a life
class warfare
April 19, 2007 - 16:21 ET by tejanodiablowell, his 'manifesto' did allude to the people who weren't satisfied with their mercedes .. the debauchery of the rich, etc .. "Among the materials was a DVD with 27 QuickTime video files, totaling about 10 minutes, showing Cho talking directly to the camera. He does not name anyone specifically, but he mentions “hedonism” and Christianity, and he talks at length about his hatred of the wealthy."* msnbc .. and which political party is always howling about the gulf between the rich and the disenfranchised poor .. who is screaming about the 'two americas' .. maybe we should be blaming the libs, the edwards, the michael moores, the kerrys for his insanity .. after all, haven't they been the ones promoting it ???
never look a gift skunk in the tail.
It is my understanding that t
April 19, 2007 - 17:09 ET by JDWIt is my understanding that the students at VA Tech are ordinary middle class. The news media evaded the opportunity to focus on the racial and wealth aspects of this electing to promote gun control.
I mentioned the fact elsewhere that a wall exists preventing information from Cho's medical records to be accessed. The law protects him as an individual who was assigned by the court to a secure hospital. He was evaluated as unstable and dangerous. The state is unable to keep him institutionalized, prevent him from purchasing weapons, what kind of success do the dems feel they can achieve with intelligent sane people?
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
If you are going to whine about spelling... get a life
Ruby -
April 19, 2007 - 14:18 ET by JimboRuby –
I don’t see how granting this murderer his wish by giving his ranting airtime over the entire world accomplishes what you are describing.
Maybe there are little nuggets of what he is saying or how he is saying it that a trained psychoanalyst might be able to pick up on and learn from. I suspect not, but I wouldn’t know – I’m not a trained psychoanalyst – and that’s my point.
Give it to the FBI psych team or some other trained body for analysis. Playing it the way the media did and continues to do does no good. None. In fact it causes far more damage than it helps.
Jimbo says - "There is a fine line between freedom of speech and treason"
I respect your opinion on thi
April 19, 2007 - 15:41 ET by rubylensI respect your opinion on this, as well as your desire to NOT see Cho's manifesto. But if you get your way, I don't get the information I want, and there's nothing I can do about it. If I get my way, then I get access to the information if I want it, and you still have the freedom to turn off the television.
In one scenario, one of us is denied access to the information with no recourse. In the other scenario, both of us have a choice.
If it bleeds, it leads...
April 19, 2007 - 12:32 ET by Six String SpiffWhat an aweful thing to have happen while I was getting married.. The MSM has always had this saying: "If it bleeds it leads." Disgusting isn't it? Why on earth should we expect peple that coin and habitually use phrases like that to behave responsibly? They did the same thing with the horrible Columbine shootings. NBC should be ashamed of themselves for complying with that vile creature. It's not ALL about ratings, but it's damn close. I hope this bites NBC in the A$$ till they bleed. Maybe then they will realize how heartless and disgusting they are acting.
WTF? last night on Fox News t
April 19, 2007 - 12:36 ET by katleeWTF? last night on Fox News they had this footage on a damn loop, playing it over and over - in Hannity's hour alone, they must have played it 4 times
increasing tabloidism on ALL cable channels
April 19, 2007 - 12:47 ET by RJThe increasing tabloidism on ALL the cable channels is a big reason why I cancelled my cable.....haven't missed it or the cable bill at all.
(Welcome back, Mr. and Mrs. Spiff!)
Hannity is a disservice to conservatism.
April 19, 2007 - 13:46 ET by CTkatlee,
You are so correct, FOX News i.e. Hannity is just as pathetic a bottom feeder as is NBC. No excuse for it. I choose to watch FOX News regularly, but I cannot tolerate the Hannity Insanity for 60 seconds, the man has the intellect of snail.
And yet Alan Colmes effortles
April 19, 2007 - 13:54 ET by Jack BauerAnd yet Alan Colmes effortlessly makes Sean look like Einstein.
Alan Colmes from Planet 9
April 19, 2007 - 14:01 ET by CTReason number two to skip that hour of FOX News.
peachment
April 19, 2007 - 14:15 ET by tejanodiablosince she hasn't been impeached, yet, does that mean she's peached ?? .. at the heart of every peach is a nut ..
never look a gift skunk in the tail ..
Six String - did you really g
April 19, 2007 - 12:44 ET by Dee BunkSix String - did you really get married? If so congratulations! Were you formerly Space man Spiff?
Ya, congrats. Another good
April 19, 2007 - 12:47 ET by MightyMouthYa, congrats. Another good man bites the dust! ha!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Poor sap
April 19, 2007 - 12:49 ET by Mr. BishopWhat were you thinking Spiff? I mean, honestly man... getting married? However, I cannot deny that I too am married... and yes... she does run the house.
"Stop global warming! Asphyxiate a liberal!" - Show us how far you're willing to go to stop "global warming"
Running the house
April 19, 2007 - 13:14 ET by Six String SpiffLOL! Yep.. We havent even moved to the new house and she runs it! We move in the end of the month. Correction: Her and the cat run the house!
Buy a big dog :)
April 19, 2007 - 13:20 ET by florida_chadBuy a big dog :)
Correction: Her and the ca
April 19, 2007 - 13:21 ET by MightyMouthCorrection: Her and the cat run the house!
Correction two: the cat runs the house! just ask it :-)
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Funny Spiff - We just went ov
April 19, 2007 - 13:30 ET by Dee BunkFunny Spiff - We just went over the hierarchy in our house last night and everyone agreed it goes
Me, then the dog, then my son, then my husband. My dog is a female and we are both princesses, but I have seniority. With men, seniority works against you. ; )
I think he did used to be spa
April 19, 2007 - 12:59 ET by florida_chadI think he did used to be spaceman spiff. He changed his name to one that fit him better.
Marriage can be great. Good luck Six Strings
Space = Six String
April 19, 2007 - 13:12 ET by Six String SpiffYep that was me. Six String fits much better. Yes I really did get married.. The the finest Italian on the planet!
Well Hello and congrats! I'
April 19, 2007 - 13:21 ET by Dee BunkWell Hello and congrats! I've been on and off pretty random so I missed the name change.
accountability
April 19, 2007 - 12:51 ET by clubdittocomremember the duke lacrosse players? weren't they expelled from campus? and they were inncocent! why couldn't those in charge of the students' safety have expelled this guy from campus, based on all the red flags, from stalking to past psychiatric care to writting so scary that students refused to be in the same class with him, and demanded that he receive psychiatric treatment and be monitored before being allowed back on campus? you know why? because they didn't want to be JUDGEMENTAL. not p.c. and also because they have created laws that allow them to wash their hands of the whole thing (like not being allowed to notify the parents of a students bizarre behavior, etc.) i blame those on campus in charge of the students safety. period.
You may want to check this ou
April 19, 2007 - 13:29 ET by ricklailYou may want to check this out to be sure but I think that the VA legislature passed a bill that state supported schools could not expell a student for being mentaly unstable.
A bonafided and certified member of the beer guzzling, NASCAR watching middle class.
Matthew-Daily MSM outlets res
April 19, 2007 - 13:06 ET by ghotifunMatthew-
Daily MSM outlets resound the chorus of being committed to "our responsibility to the community". They provide us with Public Service Announcements ("lalala... the more you know... lalala") which are boring and cutesy-ish and trite. But its their "responsibility". And they accomplish NOTHING but provide an excuse for the MSM to fulfill its absurd obligation.
When the MSM really does have an opportunity to behave responsibly, they invariably don't.
Cardinal rules of journalism are shattered every day for the sake of the "scoop" or ratings (actually two sides of the same coin!) At a time when the news media should do nothing more than report the facts of a story of horrendous magnitude, the moronic Paula Zahn (Paul Lezonn) speculates about a point that was just debunked not more than 90 seconds before in a news conference on VT's campus. These people aren't journalists. They are drive-by thrill seekers.
The disturbing scenes of Cho in picture and video and the bizarre manifesto-type language prove that he was horribly ill. And his words and vision are now the probable fuse for more tragedies to come. Just as Cho was, there are very disturbed people in our world.
NBC at the van of MSM irresponsibility is tragic. The need for responsible action on their part was wholly usurped by ratings and ideology. There will most definitely be copy-cats of Cho. Afterall, he was a copy-cat of the Columbine murderers. The blood of the copy-cat's victims and the pain of our grief as a nation will be on the MSM's hands and hearts and heads.
I am disgusted and outraged that the MSM could be SO irresponsible as to give this madman the one thing he wanted more than all else-immortality.
NBC News took careful consideration in determining how the information should be distributed.
I am taking careful consideration to NEVER watch NBC News, MSNBC or CNBC.
We gave the terrorists "
April 19, 2007 - 13:50 ET by rubylensWe gave the terrorists "what they wanted most," too--we became terrified, and we have been jumping at shadows every single time there has been a tragedy since 9/11. I don't know about you, but when I hear about random violence, the very first thing I wonder is how long it will take to find out the guy shouted "Allahu Akbar" or had "Mohammed" somewhere in his name. (I did it this time, too, though it turned out not to be a jihadi this time.) Is it a bad thing or a good thing that we are on a much-heightened sense of alert about terrorists and terrorism as a result? I maintain that it's a good thing. Would we be better off if the MSM and government authorities had steadfastly refused to show any images of the 9/11 hijackers or their evil deeds? What if the media had universally decided not to give the terrorists "what they wanted" and had done a full media blackout? Sure, it would have frustrated the terrorists in the short term to not get the credit for what they had done, but it would not have prevented future acts of terrorism--in fact, they probably would have redoubled their efforts to pull off something we couldn't possibly ignore. Nor would it have helped our society to be on the lookout for the kind of suspicious behavior the terrorists displayed beforehand. Seeing their faces and hearing the details of their profiles and behavior patterns made me feel like I was armed with some information that might help me as a citizen to be aware of this kind of thing in the future and perhaps even play a role in preventing it. Just like the passengers who refused to fly with those six imams behaving so suspiciously. Would they have demanded that those six imams be removed from their plane without the information they knew about the type of person involved and behavior they displayed before and during the 9/11 attacks?
I'm a fan of being informed. I want to be informed, and I am not offended by being given the opportunity to be informed if I so desire. I can turn off the TV and the computer if I decide that I don't want the information. But I want it available if I decide I want it for whatever reason.
Those ticking time-bombs out there just waiting for somethign to light their fuses might be set off by Cho's words and images. Or they might go off months or years from now after having a fight with a girlfriend or failing a college exam or being flipped off by a stranger. They're unstable, and they'll either get help or they'll find a reason to explode--Cho videos or not. NBC is not evil for showing them, in my opinion. Capitalistic and self-promoting, yes, but evil--no.
Rubylens-We gave the terroris
April 19, 2007 - 14:38 ET by ghotifunRubylens-
We gave the terrorists "what they wanted most," too--we became terrified, and we have been jumping at shadows every single time there has been a tragedy since 9/11.
Undoubtedly. After Pearl Harbor, though, we, as a nation, had a righteous anger towards the Japanese and eventually toward the Germans, Italians and other Axis powers. That anger and sense of being horribly wronged gave us, as a nation, the will and determination necessary to see us through three and a half years of struggle and sacrifice.
We, as a nation, didn't have that same righteous anger towards the perpetrators of 9-11. What we should have given the terrorists is a fist clenched as one hell of a mighty, pissed off nation. Nope, didn't happen. PC (BS) ruled the day.
I don't know about you, but when I hear about random violence... We agree on this point.
I'm a fan of being informed. I want to be informed... The wife and I are news-junkies and that's one reason I'm a subscriber to NB.
The responsibility lacking from NBC is appalling. There are many ways to disseminate the "information" of Cho's rant without showing his rant in every detail repeatedly. As a major news organization, I would have thought that NBC would have used more forethought than they did. They chose to act irresponsibly for their own benefit (read: ratings and money) and neglected the consequences of their actions. I feel strongly that NBC's actions were driven by ideological motives. They have slipped repeatedly in polls and in journalistic integrity. Will we be burdened with a two-hour expose' by NBC News on Cho's multimedia presentation? You can count on it! They are desperate to portray this tragedy in some leftist ideological manner. They can't wait!
Public Responsibility is absent in NBC news...
ghoti
April 19, 2007 - 14:46 ET by misterbillghoti thank you for expressing it the way you did. It is how I feel. I think that is why I tend to turn the news off after the first report. The nets AND cable are falling all over themselves tryin to outdo the competition.
How about some dignity instead of acting like pigs at the trough.
C'mon
April 19, 2007 - 13:56 ET by Chidi NwachukhuI caught Fox & Friends this morning and it seemed like the video was on a loop all morning, as with Good Moring America, etc. They played it on Hannity and Colmes last night, as with Tucker, Olbermann, etc. I you are going to avoid any show or network that has run the video, then I guess you will be getting your news by carrier pigeon.
Carrier pigeon it is!
April 19, 2007 - 14:09 ET by misterbillI have already heard enough about the situation. I need no more to be aware of what has happened.
I must say, I have to agree with the argument above that one can turn off or change the channel. On the other hand , I respectfully submit that it is moral prostitution, How did you feel about the reporting on Anna Nicole? Be careful how you answer, because on the reporting side of it , it is the same chasing of viewers. This issue however has a liberal press that will attack the 2nd amendment ad nauseum. It was clearly over the top. So, you guys and gals who want to see it--hold on to your position and I will hold on to mine.
I agree. There is not any mor
April 19, 2007 - 14:16 ET by Chidi NwachukhuI agree. There is not any more light that we can really shed on this topic. I had my fill of the story by dinnertime and tried to flip to a channel that wasn't covering this. That's how I know that everyone has been running the videos. I don't need to spend all of my time on this. Is it a tragedy? Yes. Can we prevent crazy people from acting crazy? no. The end. (And to clarify, I agree with you on the Anna Nicole story and on the 2nd amendment. More gun laws won't add up to anything)
"our responsibility to the co
April 19, 2007 - 15:04 ET by JDW"our responsibility to the community"
Remember the intelligence wall which was created by Clinton? Did the same occur here by not sharing med records?
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
If you are going to whine about spelling... get a life
Don't forget, when making suc
April 19, 2007 - 13:14 ET by Jack BauerDon't forget, when making such delicate judgements on good taste, ethical behavior and propriety, NBC & MSNBC always ask themselves this vital question:
hey ghotifun - what about Fox
April 19, 2007 - 13:19 ET by katleehey ghotifun - what about Fox News?
hey ghotifun - what about Fox
April 19, 2007 - 13:19 ET by katleehey ghotifun - what about Fox News?
katlee-I'll only respond to o
April 19, 2007 - 14:08 ET by ghotifunkatlee-
I'll only respond to one post... :{)
Fox News:
1) didn't initially broadcast the material from Cho.
2) has stated they won't air the video again (see above update)
3) has gone out of their way to state they won't speculate on this story
Is FNC perfect? Hardly. But they at least apply journalistic rules to their stories...
Don't delude yourselves. Th
April 19, 2007 - 18:07 ET by samharmonDon't delude yourselves. The big reason Fox was the first to pull the Cho vids is because everytime they ran them, you saw an "NBC News" logo. Fox was so petty that instead of crediting NBC for supplying the vids and pictures, on its ticker and chyrons it read that the vids were sent by Cho to a "media organization."
By announcing first that they were going to restrict the video's usage Fox execs could appear to be the network of high moral character while axing vids that were another network's big scoop. Very clever, yet very transparent at the same time.
I'm willing to bet a certain percentage of the people belly-aching that this video was aired would have shouted even louder if NBC decided to not air it and make it available to other news organizations. The cries of censorship and shouts of, "What are they hiding?!" would have been audible from here to the moon.
Are Cho's vids and pictures and words disturbing? Hell yes. Should they have been tucked away somewhere? Hell no. Life is awful and disturbing and uncomfortable sometimes. If the real world is too much for some of you, stay home and watch DVD's of puppy dogs and flowers and suck down a nice burrito or tv dinner with a big, goofy, contented smile on your face.
Life sucks sometimes, but sheltering people from all things troubling is not the way to go.
they cram this stupid video d
April 19, 2007 - 13:36 ET by pmohbuckthey cram this stupid video down our throat at every second, but they pull the videos of sept 11 because they deemed it "too painful"? do they even know what their agenda is?
do they even know what their agenda is?
April 19, 2007 - 13:50 ET by misterbilldo they even know what their agenda is? I believe they do--it is the total removal of all traces of religion in America. It is the move to a socialistic form of government. We are closer very day.
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
What a dream! They think that is where we should go! 'nuff said!
dream? more like a nightmar
April 19, 2007 - 13:56 ET by pmohbuckdream? more like a nightmare ...
unfortunately, the rest of the world ... including the muslim dominated middle east and communist china ... don't know john lennon from a john boat and could care less about all the peace crap. last time i checked, "peace" wasn't associated with militancy and nuclear weapons development.
i'm starting to think we need to revisit the drug laws, because these libs HAVE to be on something ... the can't be that STUPID, can they?
arsenals
April 19, 2007 - 14:26 ET by tejanodiablo"peace?" they say as they light the fuse .. "i thought you meant 'piece', as in, i'll whup out my piece and blow your infidel ass off"
never look a gift skunk in the tail ..
Will NBC News send Cho Profits to VT victims?
April 19, 2007 - 14:23 ET by pearlWill NBC News send Cho Profits to VT victims?
They were interviewing some guy that registered a domain name ismailax.com and were quizzing him on how he could profit on this. I ask the same of NBC News.
Will NBC News give the profits from last nights broadcast to the VT victims?
Take those profits....
April 19, 2007 - 14:24 ET by JimboWhere is Hillary when you need her?
She should take those profits.....
Jimbo says - "There is a fine line between freedom of speech and treason"
profits
April 19, 2007 - 14:29 ET by tejanodiabloshe'd just use the money to gin up some slime on obambi or pay off some of bill's afternoon delights ..
never look a gift skunk in the tail ..
NBC knew FBI did not want videos released
April 19, 2007 - 14:45 ET by pearlNBC knew FBI did not want videos released
The NBC package was obviously the same avi/doc/jpg files that were already on his laptop and had been seen by the FBI. The media had already reported on these documents found in his dorm. The FBI had never released or shown these videos. NBC only showed the videos/pictures last night because they could make "blood money" from them.
That's not it.
April 19, 2007 - 14:55 ET by Cool ArrowNBC knew the FBI would withhold CHO's masterpiece and therefore not allow him his Mein Kampf (which literally translates Jihad, which literally translates My Struggle).
I like the idea of NBC making
April 19, 2007 - 15:23 ET by Gat New YorkI like the idea of NBC making an enormous donotion of their profits to the victims families. These are the very same pious soul who were outraged at the abhorrent conduct of Don Imus and fired him.
The pee-cock network
April 19, 2007 - 15:33 ET by Cool ArrowNBC regains market share. At what price? Dignity? big deal.
This is one of those cases wh
April 19, 2007 - 17:03 ET by ferrarimanf355This is one of those cases where I agree with you guys. NBC is just pouring a can of Mortons Iodoized Salt on the gaping flesh wounds of the victims' families and friends by airing that video. This is, hands down, an incredibly hurtful and stupid decision, and indefenseable to boot. I can agree with you guys on that.
Uzumaki/Ayanami '08. Because a ninja and an Eva pilot can govern the nation better that what we have now...
MSM Has No Credibility
April 19, 2007 - 17:33 ET by emjem24This is the same world that introduced us to Keith Olbergoon. He was a sportscaster who turned into part of the goon squad for MSNBC. Excuse me while I laugh myself silly in the other room.
The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer. Air Force Motto
emjem says: When your brain's stuck on liberalism it self-destructs.
I won't show the pictures on
April 19, 2007 - 19:34 ET byI won't show the pictures on my site, however, I don't believe there is anything wrong with showing the pictures or the videos, if done for the right reasons. However, I believe that the delivery of the pictures should paint the murderer as the demon that he was/is.
Here is what I mean: While the pictures/videos are showing, the news person should be saying,
"These are pictures of a coward, a hardened heartless evil wicked murderer! Thank goodness he is dead and not going to put the families of the victims through a trial, where he would have a lawyer painting him as a victim of society. Now he will be remembered as the sick pathetic immature, self pitying coward, stupid THING that does NOT even qualify to be called a human, much less a 'man.' Thank goodness the monster is gone from this world!"
And the focus of care and concern should always begin and end with speaking of the victims and their lives and their families left behind.
You see, this would send a message to any people thinking of doing such a thing, that no one is going to pity them.
Debra...
www.InformingChristians.com
Sure, in an ideal world, Debr
April 19, 2007 - 19:40 ET by RJSure, in an ideal world, Debra. But where in the MSM do you expect to find that kind of responsible and moral behavior?
We have to call and let them
April 19, 2007 - 19:56 ET byWe have to call and let them hear our voices, RJ. We have to let them know how we feel and that we are not keeping quiet about how they hurt society. I just called the media today over something. ....Debra