Should NBC have aired the tape?

[i'm in touch, so you be in touch]

I say, no. At least, not yet. Just because the tape was hand-delivered to the media's hands does not mean its good for air. What about the victim's families? Were they contacted to see how they would feel seeing the mass murderer who killed their child spew out his hatred just TWO DAYS later? A long time passed before any 9/11 transmissions were played out in the national forum.

And is this just going to encourage others on the fringe to do the same? Cho got his message out and time in the spotlight, so why not them, too.

I agree with NBC's decision to make copies before turning them over to the FBI. It is important to review these materials, but is it necessary to air them before even all the victims are buried? What have we gained?

We are in such a rush to feed the machine anymore that I fear good judgement is being tossed out the window.

[TopRamen]

The psych. analysts and profilers have all said we're just giving the bastard what he wanted by airing the tapes and giving Cho the last word. My husband was mad to see the tapes aired last night and made a lot of comments about how "NBC execs were probably slapping each other high fives," and I reminded him that I was once in the industry (and still write for print!) and that we're not all jaded vultures. The fact is, as troubling as the pictures and video are, as limited as they were in actual investigative value, they were compelling television. And I couldn't turn away. And throughout this story, there was a part of me that wanted to know what this kid was thinking.

Now, where my beef comes in as that NBC branded the tapes with their logo. I think that's only appropriate when you actually go out and gather news and get a scoop on the other guys. There was no scoop here. This was just pure chance. They did the right thing by sharing it, but the branding was tacky.

[ISTHISTHINGON?]

I'm on the "don't air" bandwagon. Sure, it's not our job to choose what the viewers see and don't see...but I just feel different here. We gave the guy life after death. Sure I can change the channel, bla bla bla...but that still doesn't change the fact that Cho wins. Not only did he make a mark in history....he got a signature farewell of photo's....hook, line, and sinker.

[Bandit '07]

What exactly did airing this video add to the story? And why, at a time when they were most vulnerable, should the victim's loved ones be traumatized unnecessarily?

[tater]

What irritates me is that NBC talking heads all morning long were saying "we aren't going to air much of this or put loops on the video out of respect for the victims and families, blah, blah, blah...and of course they are doing just that.

But thinking the media would take a moral high ground...is just laughable.

[Bill Lumbergh]

Originally posted by tater:

But thinking the media would take a moral high ground...is just laughable.That's not the media's job.

[CKMD]

Originally posted by ISTHISTHINGON?:
Sure, it's not our job to choose what the viewers see and don't see.Actually...that is our job. We do it every day in editorial meetings where we pass on stories we don't think viewers care about.

But I'll be damned if I'm going to sit here, as a journalist, and say it shouldn't have been shown to the public.

It should be shown and shown often. if people don't want to see it, or know about it, turn the channel, stop reading, turn off the TV. We are not in the business of making sure people aren't disturbed by what happens in the world. This kid's mind set needs to be shown to people. People need to see that there are milions of people like this kid....who, in one second will break and commit mass murder.

It is our job to offer people all the information about events that we possibly can. To do otherwise is to not fulfill the ciore of our job.

[tater]

Originally posted by Bill Lumbergh:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by tater:

But thinking the media would take a moral high ground...is just laughable.That's not the media's job.</font>[/QUOTE]I was refering to the "lie" the NBC people kept saying on air. Don't say that statement about not repeating the video and pictures all the time out of respect for the victims and families and I have no problem.

[theultimatetruth]

We are in such a rush to feed the machine anymore that I fear good judgement is being tossed out the window.The above happened a LONG time ago, didn't it?

And after thinking about it, I also think that this disturbing diatribe and images and video should have been held off the air, at least for a while (months).

[Tripe Face]

I believe NBC and the other news organizations were correct to air the portions they did. It's important for all of us to see what a person like this looks like, acts like, speaks like...

Perhaps, just as in the Unabomber case after the NYT and the WashPost both published his manifesto, it will help ordinary people raise a red flag BEFORE the next whack job opens fire.

There's also the whole matter of how Virginia Tech authorities and police handled this matter. It's pretty clear to me that this was a very troubled young man. The school should have done more to deal with him. And the fact that he had time to run errands in the midst of his killing spree astounds me.

If you think NOT airing this would make the parents, family, friends of the victims hurt any less, you'd be mistaken. No matter what happens now, their loved one is gone. And I promise you those people are being VERY selective in what they watch or read about this. They themselve know that the news is full of this story and if seeing more news about it OF ANY KIND is going to make matters worse, and I don't dispute that it likely will, they will keep the tv and radio off.

[theultimatetruth]

Originally posted by Tripe Face:
I believe NBC and the other news organizations were correct to air the portions they did. It's important for all of us to see what a person like this looks like, acts like, speaks like...Well, if you've been following along at home, he DIDN'T EVER act like that before the killings. He was a total mute who barely made eye contact with anyone, and apparently rarely spoke to anyone. So as some of his fellow classmates surmised last night, he was fooling everyone and putting on an act with his shy, meek, quiet antics.

Your point seems to say that if you see someone acting like this nutjob did IN HIS SICK MANIFESTO, then you should take some action......well, duh, really?

[ April 19, 2007, 09:26 AM: Message edited by: theultimatetruth ]

[Ferrycrossthemersey]

The video may have been painful and repugnant, but anyone who says it should not have aired, is no journalist.

[i'm in touch, so you be in touch]

This is not a matter of making them hurt *less*, it is a matter of making them hurt MORE.

There is a time and a place to air this footage, and I agree that it should have seen the light of day. But to air it so quickly is wrong.

Also, to say there are "millions" of people out there just like this kid - what world are you living in? There may be hundreds or thousands, but we don't have mass murders in this country every day. If there were millions of kids out there like this, that might be the case. However, airing this video in the moments after this tradegy does serve to empower those on the edge.

It should also be noted that for every one person who died at VA Tech monday, there are seven bodies in Iraq that lay dead yesterday. 124 people killed in one bombing alone. Where is our outrage in that? Korean officials sent condolences to our country for Monday's tragedy. Where are our condolences for the people of Iraq?

[Tripe Face]

Originally posted by theultimatetruth:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Tripe Face:
I believe NBC and the other news organizations were correct to air the portions they did. It's important for all of us to see what a person like this looks like, acts like, speaks like...Well, if you've been following along at home, he DIDN'T EVER act like that before the killings. He was a total mute who barely made eye contact with anyone, and apparently rarely spoke to anyone. So as some of his fellow classmates surmised last night, he was fooling everyone and putting on an act with his shy, meek, quiet antics.

Your point seems to say that if you see someone acting like this nutjob did IN HIS SICK MANIFESTO, then you should take some action......well, duh, really?</font>[/QUOTE]There's a posting on CNN.com from a former roommate who says that many of the sayings he used in the tape/manifesto were exactly what he'd written on the walls of his dorm room long ago. So he HAD communicated these ravings, just not in the traditional sense.

[Kace]

I had no problem with it...but then I am but a mere viewer.

[Mom]

Originally posted by ISTHISTHINGON?:
but that still doesn't change the fact that Cho wins. Wins what? That statement is as empty as every time we heard "If you (fill in the blank)the terrorists win." Cho is dead. He gets no glory from beyond the grave. He doesn't even get the last word. His video ramblings don't hold him up as a martyr. He was delusional and sick and that's why I think those who didn't want the video shown feel the way they do. It's hard to hate someone who was obviously sick and delusional as the airing of the video clearly shows. Had he been just plain evil it would justify everyone's hate and anger. But he wasn't just evil. He was mentally disturbed.
I think NBC made the right choice in airing the video. Now we can see for ourselves that it doesn't take a bogey man or Satan to kill. Random, horrific murder can even be committed by a young man not in his right mind.

If NBC had decided not to air the video but, instead, only described what was on the video, don't you think people would be up in arms over the release of it? I do. I don't care how effective a story teller or writer is on staff, no one could adequately describe Cho's state of mind. Each viewer must assess that for themselves.

[Signature on File]

I believe NBC and the other news organizations were correct to air the portions they did. It's important for all of us to see what a person like this looks like, acts like, speaks like...

Just go to your local "death row" prison....Everybody has that "look" in their eyes.

[i'm in touch, so you be in touch]

Originally posted by Ferrycrossthemersey:
...anyone who says it should not have aired, is no journalist.So, do we air the name of a rape victim just because we have it? Do we air the name of a juvenile crime suspect just because we have it? Why do the major networks no longer air audio from video recordings made by al-Qaida? Should we not hear that as well?

I raise these questions, because there is a serious question of *ethics* here.

[John M.]

Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:

It is our job to offer people all the information about events that we possibly can. You'll forgive my cynicism if I snicker at the thought that any news outlet showed Cho's videos in the name of public service.

What information do those videos give us?

They DON'T tell us what he was like. He didn't act in person the way he performed for the camera. He didn't dress they way he dressed for the photos. He didn't walk around in public posing with guns.

If anything, they distort the picture of who he was by showing us only what he wanted us to see. They don't shed light on what turned him from the garden-variety disturbed depressive who shoots himself into the rare kind who shoots himself only after killing 32 other people first. They don't help us identify others like him who could do similar things.

Showing those clips serves the goal of preventing the next massacre much less than it does Cho's goal of glorifying the last one.

You'll also forgive me if I quibble with your contention that "We are not in the business of making sure people aren't disturbed by what happens in the world." In fact, we do it all the time. Have American networks shown even a fraction of the gore that anyone on the ground in Iraq has seen?

How often do the networks show the planes hitting the Twin Towers on 9/11 any more? In ABC's case, at least, the answer is zero. In the ensuing days after the tragedy, ABC notified its affiliates that it would no longer show the moments of impact and that ABC NewsOne would not feed video of it to stations.

What's the difference now? (I wonder if Bernard Goldberg would tell you it's because it happened in the relative backwoods of Blacksburg, Virginia rather than the networks' home in Manhattan.)

It is certainly dramatic video. And in the 24-hour news cycle era, any compelling video will be re-cycled 24 hours a day. Please don't try to tell me it is done out of any sense of duty. It's done because it can be. If enough will watch, someone will show it.

[Vulcan]

I have every confidence that the networks go through a lot of deliberation about showing something like this.

I have no confidence at all they are asking the right questions.

[Produce man]

Originally posted by Ferrycrossthemersey:
The video may have been painful and repugnant, but anyone who says it should not have aired, is no journalist.Anyone who says it should have aired is a sleazeball journalist.

[Pro]

It's news. It should have been broadcast.

When we get to the point that we no longer broadcast because of sensibilities, then we have lost our objectivity. Sometimes the things we broadcast are painful to watch. That's the way it goes.

This video goes to, in part, the questions of "What would make a person do something like this? What kind of person would do it?".

Maybe not everyone wants to know the answers, but many do. That's reason enough.

[Bandit '07]

But what does the tape show us that any sensible person wouldn't already know?

Dude is clearly deranged - we knew that Monday.

I just don't see the value.

[ISTHISTHINGON?]

Originally posted by Mom:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by ISTHISTHINGON?:
but that still doesn't change the fact that Cho wins. Wins what? That statement is as empty as every time we heard "If you (fill in the blank)the terrorists win." Cho is dead. He gets no glory from beyond the grave. .</font>[/QUOTE]I disagree. I don't make the comment as if there's some scoreboard of BAD vs. GOOD. I make it simply to say any lunatic that video tapes such crap clearly to be heard...then it's shown over and over after he blows his head off...in my book...he gets, at least, his last word and is done with the it. But if he must have a trophy since I commented "He won"....I offer the "I'm a p!ssy for not being able to handle the world" award(crazies can win it too). Just an opinion....as is yours. Then there's the whole COPYCAT scenerio...but we've already built that platform. Thanks for the input though.

[Pro]

We all have to determine that for ourselves.

The fact is a tape DID exist of the killer. The media has it. Enough people want to see what was on the tape.

Imagine, if you will, if Brian Williams had said "NBC News has a tape of the killer explaining his actions, but we're not going to show or release it, because we don't think it would be a good thing."

You think there's an outcry NOW? What do you think that reaction would be to THAT?

[ISTHISTHINGON?]

Originally posted by Ferrycrossthemersey:
The video may have been painful and repugnant, but anyone who says it should not have aired, is no journalist.You got me there....I'm merely half journalist,the other half human. Won't win me any awards...but then again, I don't work for awards.

[Produce man]

Originally posted by Pro:
We all have to determine that for ourselves.

The fact is a tape DID exist of the killer. The media has it. Enough people want to see what was on the tape.

Imagine, if you will, if Brian Williams had said "NBC News has a tape of the killer explaining his actions, but we're not going to show or release it, because we don't think it would be a good thing."

You think there's an outcry NOW? What do you think that reaction would be to THAT?I'm sure plenty of people want to see executions. We don't air those.

[Vulcan]

Originally posted by Pro:
Imagine, if you will, if Brian Williams had said "NBC News has a tape of the killer explaining his actions, but we're not going to show or release it, because we don't think it would be a good thing."

You think there's an outcry NOW? What do you think that reaction would be to THAT?I recall a live suicide on television. Everyone had access to that tape. And they explained why they didn't run it.

Of course, in this day and age, any decision to withhold something, no matter how tasteful or sensible, becomes part of a vast conspiracy and WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU HIDING?

[Pro]

That's different. Airing a suicide adds nothing to the story. You tell that someone blew his brains out. What more will showing it add? I can see running such a tape up to the moment just before the person pulled the trigger, but nothing further.

But in this case, people are asking "What was this guy THINKING?" Well, here it is. No visuals on the tapes contain anything gory. But his facial expressions may reveal as much as his words. Or not. It's up for everyone to decide for themselves.

[ April 19, 2007, 02:53 PM: Message edited by: Pro ]

[CKMD]

Originally posted by Produce man:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Ferrycrossthemersey:
The video may have been painful and repugnant, but anyone who says it should not have aired, is no journalist.Anyone who says it should have aired is a sleazeball journalist.</font>[/QUOTE]Anyone who agrees with this piece of crap is certainly not a journalist. Produce is a janitor in Tallahassee...

[CKMD]

Originally posted by John M.:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:

It is our job to offer people all the information about events that we possibly can. You'll forgive my cynicism if I snicker at the thought that any news outlet showed Cho's videos in the name of public service.

What information do those videos give us?
</font>[/QUOTE]Great post!

The video offers us everything that was in this guys mind that he never shared because he had severe mental problems and was never FORCED to get help.

That's why we need to air it. People like him out there...and there are MILLIONS need to get help ASAP.

[Bandit '07]

For me, it goes back to Vulcan's earlier earlier post with the psychologist (http://www.medialine.com/ubb/NonCGI/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000728) ... whose opinion seems typical of a lot of professionals in this field who have weighed in on this.

I'll take their word for it.

Oh, and what have we spent the entire day talking about today? The victims, or the killer?

[CKMD]

When talking with viewers yesterday...they ALL said they were tired of hearing about the victims...they wanted to know more about the shooter.

So...the viewers win, right?

[Produce man]

Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Produce man:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Ferrycrossthemersey:
The video may have been painful and repugnant, but anyone who says it should not have aired, is no journalist.Anyone who says it should have aired is a sleazeball journalist.</font>[/QUOTE]Anyone who agrees with this piece of crap is certainly not a journalist. Produce is a janitor in Tallahassee...</font>[/QUOTE]And I still make more money than you!

[Produce man]

Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
When talking with viewers yesterday...they ALL said they were tired of hearing about the victims...they wanted to know more about the shooter.

So...the viewers win, right?No, journalism loses.

[ISTHISTHINGON?]

Actually, we're all goin' to Hell...and I'm going to kick Cho's mentally unstable a$$ when I get there.

[Clever Login Name]

I can see the argument for airing it, but don't try to sway your viewers with the argument that "it will help people recognize potential problems in others" crap ... you/we're airing it because it appeals to the prurient interests of the majority of our viewers ... who also would never admit to wanting to see it. The absolute, rock bottom reason everyone put it on the air is that it's going to draw more eyeballs to their signal ... to pretend and claim otherwise is crap with a capital "C".

[CKMD]

Originally posted by Produce man:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
When talking with viewers yesterday...they ALL said they were tired of hearing about the victims...they wanted to know more about the shooter.

So...the viewers win, right?No, journalism loses.</font>[/QUOTE]Journalism loses because you pretend you are a journalist.

PS: the "I make More Money Than You" line is just more proof that you aren't one. Clean up on aisle 5, Produce.

[ April 19, 2007, 05:43 PM: Message edited by: Can't Keep Me Down ]

[newschannel fan]

it will be interesting to see if WSLS takes a ratings hit in May.

[theultimatetruth]

Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
When talking with viewers yesterday...they ALL said they were tired of hearing about the victims...they wanted to know more about the shooter.

So...the viewers win, right?This is the most asinine and idiotic thing I have read here related to this terrible situation. If it's true, then who are your viewers, ghouls and vampires? Some of the victims were just identified TODAY.

[Produce man]

Originally posted by theultimatetruth:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
When talking with viewers yesterday...they ALL said they were tired of hearing about the victims...they wanted to know more about the shooter.

So...the viewers win, right?This is the most asinine and idiotic thing I have read here related to this terrible situation. If it's true, then who are your viewers, ghouls and vampires? Some of the victims were just identified TODAY.</font>[/QUOTE]CKMD gets pwn3d again.

Good thing you don't draw enough viewers to matter.

[CKMD]

Originally posted by theultimatetruth:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
When talking with viewers yesterday...they ALL said they were tired of hearing about the victims...they wanted to know more about the shooter.

So...the viewers win, right?This is the most asinine and idiotic thing I have read here related to this terrible situation. If it's true, then who are your viewers, ghouls and vampires? Some of the victims were just identified TODAY.</font>[/QUOTE]That's fine if you think the viewers are idiotic. But we serve them....Weren't you saying earlier that "the public" doesn't want to know about the killer?
Asanine? Well, I didn't say that to the people I spoke with.
Seems that people have differing opinions.
It is true...but the viewers aren't ghouls. For the most part, viewers who haven't lost a loved one in such a manner compartmentalize the idea of mass murder. But, knowing the single person who caused the pain is easier to handle than trying to "know" the 33 others.

[Desert Rat]

I don't think they should have showed it.

He was insane, that is what has been agreed on...

Did the tape change any minds about the fact that he was insane?

Did his ramblings or the meaning of his ramblings changed my mind or the minds of the public at large?

It didn't for me and I doubt it did for the public at large.

The only thing it did do was glorify this madman in death which I'm sure is exactly what he wanted.

[CKMD]

Wait...our job is to change people's minds about news events?

[Produce man]

You mean you don't know what your job is?

That's telling.

[CKMD]

I know what mine is.

Now, do your job.
My recycle basket is to the left. My trash needs changing every night. Please stay away from my TV's and computer keyboard.
Make sure to vacuum under the desk.
Oh...one other thing...I got your child a teddy bear for Christmas...she deserves at least one nice thing. It's on the desktop to the right.

[ April 19, 2007, 08:41 PM: Message edited by: Can't Keep Me Down ]

[i'm in touch, so you be in touch]

For those of you who say showing the video gives insight into the mind of the killer, consider this:

The only insight we got was what was filtered through by management of NBC News. We did not get the whole, true picture - because the tape was severely edited down to what a handful of people either deemed interesting or newsworthy.

Did NBC get advice from a mental health expert or law enforcement as to show what were the best sections of video to serve the public interest, or did they make that call themselves?

Showing this tape did not do anything to expose how to spot the criminally insane. I don't know, maybe it will show how cruel people can turn a quiet, shy, bullied person into a maniac. Unfortunately it will probably give the bullies the idea to bully even harder.

[CKMD]

I agree...they should've offered all video. But...you have half an hour. How?
So, why not on MSNBC?
They should have.
Let people decide if they want to watch or not.

[Ralphie the buffalo]

[enable sarcasm font]

Dear NBC,

I am planning to commit suicide after killing a few dozen people in a bloody rampage. I know that things will be chaotic following this event and I would like to offer you the opportunity to interview me beforehand. This will allow your news organization the time necessary to prepare a well crafted story.

I am offering this to you as an exclusive. As you can probably see this can be a win/win proposition for both of us. Call me and we can arrange details.

(signed)
A. Killa Guy

[disable sarcasm font}

[Produce man]

Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
I agree...they should've offered all video. But...you have half an hour. How?
So, why not on MSNBC?
They should have.
Let people decide if they want to watch or not.Sure, let's just hang it all out there. Executions, snuff flicks, why draw a line? Let the viewer decide.

You're the type of sleazeball that makes the rest of us honest journalists look bad.

You can't enterprise a story on your own, so you lazily throw out some "shock" video to save you from having to work.

You must be so proud.

(Oh, and Tracie Potts' "cancer detection" pkg is 1:58)

[CKMD]

Originally posted by Produce man:
You're the type of sleazeball that makes the rest of us honest journalists look bad.

You can't enterprise a story on your own, so you lazily throw out some "shock" video to save you from having to work.
[/QB]Honest "journalist"?
prove it. prove you are anything in journalism...even an AP.
You continue to throw out innacuracies and lies about me.
You run away when I challenge you.

You are no journalist.

I can name 7 enterprising stories I've pitched this week...and 5 of them were done.
I doubt you can write yourself out of a paper bag.

Go clean my garbage can and leave us alone.

[ April 20, 2007, 01:31 PM: Message edited by: Can't Keep Me Down ]

[Produce man]

Looks like I've pwned you again...

A Johnson Space Center building in Houston, Texas was evacuated today after reports of a gunman inside. Tim Hass reports.
Print Script

^NC-NA60F-NASA-GUNMAN-1700-HASS-NBC----
~
NC-NA60F-NASA-GUNMAN-1700-HASS-NBC----
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBC NEWS CHANNEL SCRIPT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
STORY NUM: NA60F
SLUG: NASA GUNMAN 1700 HASS
TRT: 0:41
FORMAT: PKG
FROM: NBCNC
ASSIGN/TYPE: NA/CS

PRODUCER NOTES:

PLEASE MONITOR WIRES FOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS.

ELEMENTS:

-aerials of johnson space center
-file of mission control center

CONTACT: TIM HASS
PHONE: (704) 329-8787
DATE: FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2007
ETA: VOD ETA 1700
BC:
MUSIC: NONE
RESTRICTIONS: NONE

SUPERS:

L/ Johnson Space Center, Texas :02
S/ Tim Hass, Reporting (No Standup) :XX

(--ANCHOR LEAD--)

POLICE HAVE SURROUNDED A BUILDING AT THE JOHNSTON SPACE CENTER IN HOUSTON THIS AFTERNOON.

APPARENTLY, A GUNMAN HAS BARRICADED HIMSELF INSIDE ONE OF THE BUILDINGS AT NASA'S TEXAS COMPLEX... WHERE ALL MANNED SPACE MISSIONS ARE HANDLED.

TIM HASS HAS THE DETAILS..

(-- REPORTER PKG--)

THIS AFTERNOON, POLICE RESPONDED TO A REPORT OF FIVE TO NINE SHOTS FIRED FROM A GUNMAN INSIDE 'BUILDING 44' AT THE JOHNSON SPACE CENTER.

THE SMALL BUILDING, WHICH HOUSES A COMMUNICATIONS AND TRACKING DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY, WAS EVACUATED... AND A SWAT TEAM SURROUNDED IT.

BUT NASA OFFICIALS SAID AFTER A BRIEF LOCKDOWN, IT WAS BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR THE REST OF THE NASA COMPLEX.

REPORTS SAY THE MAN IS BARRICADED INSIDE THE SECOND FLOOR OF BUILDING 44... BUT IT'S NOT KNOWN IF ANYONE IS IN THERE WITH HIM.

IT'S ALSO UNKNOWN HOW THE MAN GOT A GUN INSIDE THE SECURITY AT THE SPACE CENTER... WHICH IS HOME TO THE SPACE AGENCY'S MISSION CONTROL CENTER.

TIM HASS, NBC NEWS.

(-- ANCHOR TAG--)

TELEVISED REPORTS SAY THE MAN INSIDE IS AN EMPLOYEE OF JACOBS ENGINEERING, A TENNESSEE COMPANY DOING CONTRACT WORK FOR NASA.

######

[Produce man]

Well, that shut him up!

[CKMD]

Actually, jackass....I was ignoring you and went out to dinner with my wife sine it was her birthday.
But....your "tie in" is the dumbest thing I've ever seen.
The two have nothing to with each other.
Since you seem to think so, you prove you are a worthless piece of crap nobody hack who really doesn't work in TV news.
Goodbye, Loser.

[Diplomat]

Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
I agree...they should've offered all video. But...you have half an hour. How?
So, why not on MSNBC?
They should have.
Let people decide if they want to watch or not.Show it on MSNBC and it'd get higher ratings than whatever they have on now.

Showing a clip or two to illustrate how deranged this guy was is fine. I don't know that I'd show much more than that.

[Mic Stand]

So, I don't have a problem with the manifesto making air--- here's what I have an ethical problem with:
Why give it to the cops?
I understand the "human side" of journalists where there was an obvious tragedy--- BUT--- is it NBC News policy to give all raw footage to police before it even makes air?
My newsroom has strict rules about that... I would hope network news does as well.
How can a news organization not appear to be in the back-pockets of investigators if they're working hand-in-hand with them?

[CKMD]

You're the first to bring that up. it's a good point.
But "rules" in news organizations are not realistic. Everything is fluid and different actions call for different approaches.
While we my station), as well, wouldn't give certain things to prosecuters or police, it depends on the situation. I think this warranted giving the information to law enforcement after it was copied by us and put onto our air.

[Pro]

Originally posted by GopherGuy:
So, I don't have a problem with the manifesto making air--- here's what I have an ethical problem with:
Why give it to the cops?
I understand the "human side" of journalists where there was an obvious tragedy--- BUT--- is it NBC News policy to give all raw footage to police before it even makes air?
My newsroom has strict rules about that... I would hope network news does as well.
How can a news organization not appear to be in the back-pockets of investigators if they're working hand-in-hand with them?OK, here's the difference:

NBC News did not produce the material. Their photographers did not shoot the video. Their reporters did not write the copy. This fell into their lap, through no effort of their own. They had no input into it. So, yes, they did the right thing in turning it over.

A news organization should not be compelled or feel obligated into turning over material they produced or gathered themselves.

[ April 21, 2007, 11:27 AM: Message edited by: Pro ]

[Mic Stand]

Ok--- so they didn't produce it.
But, is it that different from a news tip?
If someone came to you with a story about fraud at a local homeless shelter and provided names, dates, and financial records--- would you turn that over?
As a working reporter don't you have a "watchdog" obligation to separate yourself from an investigation?

Again, I know the "human side" of all this--- and a part of me is arguing for arguments sake.

However, if I were NBC News these would be the discussions on the top of my mind... not whether or not it should make air.

[CorkySherwood]

Originally posted by GopherGuy:
Ok--- so they didn't produce it.
But, is it that different from a news tip?
If someone came to you with a story about fraud at a local homeless shelter and provided names, dates, and financial records--- would you turn that over?
As a working reporter don't you have a "watchdog" obligation to separate yourself from an investigation?

Again, I know the "human side" of all this--- and a part of me is arguing for arguments sake.

However, if I were NBC News these would be the discussions on the top of my mind... not whether or not it should make air.Hmmm... I see your point, and granted they're both crazy (like most people who take time to call a TV station). I think in most cases, yes, you do have that watchdog obligation and that journalists shouldn't be an arm of the law. BUT, in this case, NBC didn't go out seeking this information in an investigation, it came to them via U.S. Mail, the same way it could have arrived at the FBI. They couldn't separate themselves from the investigation, Cho changed that when he chose to mail his manifesto to NBC.

[Mic Stand]

If Cho wanted this tape in the hands of investigators, I think he was intelligent enough to get it to them.

The package was addressed to NBC News for their use. While Cho may have had the expectation it would be turned over to authorities---

I think as an industry we should have every intention of protecting him as a source, just as we would anyone else. Yes, I realize I said protect someone who murdered 32 people and it sounds ridiculous...

[Pro]

Originally posted by GopherGuy:
Ok--- so they didn't produce it.
But, is it that different from a news tip?
If someone came to you with a story about fraud at a local homeless shelter and provided names, dates, and financial records--- would you turn that over?Yes. But only the information that was provided unsolicited. Any follow up that I/we did, I would not.

[Produce man]

Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
Actually, jackass....I was ignoring you and went out to dinner with my wife sine it was her birthday.
But....your "tie in" is the dumbest thing I've ever seen.
The two have nothing to with each other.
Since you seem to think so, you prove you are a worthless piece of crap nobody hack who really doesn't work in TV news.
Goodbye, Loser.Too late. You've been pwned yet AGAIN! Mayb you need a break from that "long-form investigative" journalism. I can hear it now...

"Are your children in danger everytime they leave the house? Our own Tammy Twinkie looks into how child predators are finding new ways to target your children. 'The End of Innocence', tonight on WSUX live at 11."

[Consider This]

Originally posted by Produce man:

Too late. You've been pwned yet AGAIN! As one of the people involved in the argument, you're hardly in a position to judge objectively who has pwned whom.

As someone who is, I can tell you that neither of you is coming off too well.