Sex Offenders & Media Coverage

[Reporter4]

Many states have passed "sex offender residency restriction" laws that limit where sex offenders can live. But, is it appropriate for the media to do a story about a sex offender moving in to a new neighborhood (and have your anchor mention how "scary" it is?) This kind of thing happens frequently. I'm just looking for people's thoughts on the subject.

Example:

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/6606037.html

[ March 21, 2007, 11:14 PM: Message edited by: Reporter4 ]

[thenewsleader12345]

I think we blow these stories way out of proportion. I dont understand the media's obsession with sex offenders.

I think neighbors should be notified of where an offender lives nearby..just so that person is on notice.. but beyond that... I think its way blown out of proportion.

[CorkySherwood]

Originally posted by Reporter4:
Many states have passed "sex offender residency restriction" laws that limit where sex offenders can live. But, is it appropriate for the media to do a story about a sex offender moving in to a new neighborhood (and have your anchor mention how "scary" it is?) This kind of thing happens frequently. I'm just looking for people's thoughts on the subject.

Example:

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/6606037.htmlThis story inparticular is so sensational. Can they say "terrified" or "frightened" one more time?? The man has paid the time for his crime. So many media outlets have such an obbsession with sex offenders and I don't understand why. They act like these people shouldn't be breathing the same air as the rest of us.

[Ferrycrossthemersey]

I think I can explain. Pedophilia isn't a hobby or a habit, it's an innate sexual orientation. Pedophile's don't prey on kids because they want to be mean, it's what they do. And what they do is completely indefensible. There will be some who can remain celibate, but you'll never rid them of their desires, anymore than you can rid heterosexuals and homosexuals of their desires.

You can't think in terms of, they "did the crime, and did the time." It's not like, someone murders someone, one time. Pedophiles want to do it again and again.

[The Mockingbird]

No, but there are different types of sexual offenders.

The guy who had a 17 year old girlfriend when he was 26 is not the same as the guy who kidnapped and raped a 6 year old.

[jrat33]

Stories like this make me glad I got out of the business. Reporters now oversensationalize EVERYTHING! "This man lives a block a way from this school, and according to Wisconsin law, IT'S PERFECTLY LEGAL! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Here's how it works. Parents, warns your kids. Stay away from this house. If he tries to talk to you, simply walk away.

I wouldn't be frightened if a sex offender moved into my neighborhood, because I would keep an eye on my kids, and warn them about the dangers. Now, I bet if I were to say that to the reporter who did that story, I wouldn't make it in the piece.

[sportzchick]

I have seen over the top reporting on this where I live.

They go knocking on doors harassing the sex offender that lives there asking them "did you know you are on the sex offender website?"

Well duh. Sure they do.

Why don't we have a DUI registry? Domestic abuse registry? Drug dealing/using registry? Theft registry?

[ March 22, 2007, 07:21 AM: Message edited by: sportzchick ]

[NewsMom]

As another poster noted above, pedophiles aren't "cured" by prison time. The recidivism rate is extraordinarily high. Those are the offenders to worry about. They cannot control themselves. It's also true of some rapists, though you'd need to delve into the specific history of an individual to get an idea of the danger he (she) poses.

[Run's House]

Originally posted by jrat33:


I wouldn't be frightened if a sex offender moved into my neighborhood, because I would keep an eye on my kids, and warn them about the dangers. Now, I bet if I were to say that to the reporter who did that story, I wouldn't make it in the piece.Of course you would make it into the piece, it may go something like this:

"TONIGHT ON News9 at 9...Would you care if your next door neighbor was pedophile?!?!? This man doesn't, we'll explain" --Bang, swish, Boom, dum-duh-dumdum dum-duh-dumdum...

Anchor 1:
Imagine a pedophile fresh from the penal farm moving in next door
Anchor 2: It's scary Jim, but one Wisconsin man says bring him on...News9's Cathy Wilbanks is unnecessarily live with the story

Cathy: Behind me is the unlit house of Jim Goebel...
[TAKE VO]
a sex offender who spent 11 years in the pokey for trying to pokey a little child. He just moved into this neighborhood a mere 35 miles from Tailhood elementary. Now a situation like this would scare any reasonable parent, but we found one who said...he doesn't care...
[TAKE SOT]
[super/jrat33]
"I'm not freightened"
[TAKE TAG]
In response to the reckless disregard to his family's safety, jrat33's negihbors tell us they plan on calling social services in the morning, Jim...back to you
[TAKE JIM]
(pause with unapproving look on face and pursed lips)
It's truly amazing Cathy...thanks

Now could smoking cause cancer? Here's our medical reporter Dr. Hamishkwehtl;k asl;kfjuweo;ifhi3eowtn with the details...

[jrat33]

Originally posted by Run's House:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by jrat33:


I wouldn't be frightened if a sex offender moved into my neighborhood, because I would keep an eye on my kids, and warn them about the dangers. Now, I bet if I were to say that to the reporter who did that story, I wouldn't make it in the piece.Of course you would make it into the piece, it may go something like this:

"TONIGHT ON News9 at 9...Would you care if your next door neighbor was pedophile?!?!? This man doesn't, we'll explain" --Bang, swish, Boom, dum-duh-dumdum dum-duh-dumdum...

Anchor 1:
Imagine a pedophile fresh from the penal farm moving in next door
Anchor 2: It's scary Jim, but one Wisconsin man says bring him on...News9's Cathy Wilbanks is unnecessarily live with the story

Cathy: Behind me is the unlit house of Jim Goebel...
[TAKE VO]
a sex offender who spent 11 years in the pokey for trying to pokey a little child. He just moved into this neighborhood a mere 35 miles from Tailhood elementary. Now a situation like this would scare any reasonable parent, but we found one who said...he doesn't care...
[TAKE SOT]
[super/jrat33]
"I'm not freightened"
[TAKE TAG]
In response to the reckless disregard to his family's safety, jrat33's negihbors tell us they plan on calling social services in the morning, Jim...back to you
[TAKE JIM]
(pause with unapproving look on face and pursed lips)
It's truly amazing Cathy...thanks

Now could smoking cause cancer? Here's our medical reporter Dr. Hamishkwehtl;k asl;kfjuweo;ifhi3eowtn with the details...</font>[/QUOTE]FANTASTIC!

You are dead on!