Yesterday, it was announced that NBC had received a mailing from the Virginia Tech shooter and that the network had immediately forwarded the materials, including a video, photographs, and writings to investigating authorities in Virginia.
I cheered when I heard about NBC's response. In what appears to have been exclusive possession of a mass killer's last will and testament, the network chose not to air any of it. They'd opted, I thought, to be responsible by refusing to give the killer his wish for additional attention and more importantly not giving encouragement to other twisted people to go out in a blaze murderous glory.
But it didn't take NBC long to reverse itself and begin airing the video, displaying the pictures. What were NBC decisionmakers thinking?
It's a good bet they were thinking about ratings. Unfortunately, tabloid journalism pays. With The Nightly News now supplanted by ABC's evening news program and with MSNBC in a quality tailspin since Dan Abrams, he of the true-crimes doc-block fame, took over that network. (Except for Chris Matthews, who is excellent, and Tucker Carlson, who is good.) NBC appears to have weighed the reasons for and against showing the killer's video and his disturbing pictures and decided that rating points were more important than civic responsibility.
I've been a fan of NBC and MSNBC news for years. But where have they mislaid their consciences? Apparently, I'm not alone in my revulsion, either with NBC or all the other editors who, after NBC made its decision, then felt that they "had" to showcase the rantings of a madman.
[UPDATE: Read the outstanding thoughts of Deborah and Charlie in the comments section.]
[UPDATE: Brian Williams' defense is a variation of the child's "everybody else is doing it" argument. Nonetheless, Williams is to be commended for making himself more accessible than most anchors do.]
2 comments:
We haven't watched the news much since a few hours after the tragedy at Virginia Tech, and we haven't watched at all today.
The coverage is sick and deeply depressing. NBC was thinking ratings and news scoops... that's all.
Of all newscasters and commentators on TV right now, Chris Matthews (and probably Charles Gibson on ABC, although I rarely watch network news) stand head and shoulders above the rest in terms of applying values and integrity to their news coverage.
And I agree... Tucker Carlson is not bad, either :)
The networks have to come to the realization that they are guilty of inciting murder. Cho knew that if his crime was terrible enough, the media could not resist publishing his words. The killings didn't bring him fame, but the publication of his "manifesto" has, and I'm confident that other people are watching this and taking note.
If the media doesn't get smart and set some standards for itself, people will demand action from Congress or the FCC.
It's irresponsible to give someone like Cho so much media attention, and it's incredibly insensitive to the victims and their loved ones.
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