"You're profiting from people's suffering" viewer emails

[Dan R.]

Looking for some responses to this type of email after video of accidents, tragedies, house fires, etc airs. Particularly sent by people actually involved in the story (accident/fire/crime victim). Thoughts?

[Roy Hobbs]

Dan R. says that type of incendiary imbroglio is hotter than a Pecos porcupine in a broken Mojave microwave...
http://images.salon.com/opinion/blumenthal/2007/09/27/dan_rather_suit/story.jpg

[Charlie Brown]

*yawn*

those are my thoughts.

[Spike]

You're not profiting from their suffering?

They're probably having the worst day of their lives. You're making your money by broadcasting it, because that's your job.

How are you not profiting from their suffering?

[Dan R.]

Exactly - so what is different about the body shop or the insurance adjuster. I don't have any regrets about being in this business, but I'd like to be able to defend what I do.

I know this is probably a tired topic, but I couldn't find a recent thread.

[newz2me]

It's really simple. You've chosen the job to inform the community of the news and going ons of the community. It's been that way going back to Colonial times and the town crier. Someone has to tell the community what's going on. Whether is good or bad news, you're the guy.
News isn't always good or bad it's just simply what is going on in the area. I don't thrive off pain and suffering. I don't get paid more or less depending on the story subject. I cover what I'm assigned to cover. Somedays it's fun and light other days it's not. That's part of what I like about my job is that it's different from day to day and it can change in an instant. Just remember that you didn't create the news, you're just doing your best to explain what happened to the viewer and perhaps inform others how to not have the same thing happen to them (get smoke detectors, don't leave your toddler alone near the pool and so on).
I think that viewers have the perception that all we cover is bad news because something that shocks you tends to stick with you more. I'll bet you can remember in fairly vivid detail a broken bone or stiches you got as an 8 year old for example. But can recall to the same detail about what you got for your birthday that year?
You can't take to heart anyone who has a personal interest in a tragedy that you cover. They're not rational. You can't and shouldn't try to justify yourself to someone (by email or in person) who is irrational, they're having what could be the worst day of their life. If you run into them at the scene try to show some respect and understanding and don't take it personal. They or people around them may make comments, simply ignore them and give them space if possible. Trying to explain that it's your job will just aggravate the situation.
Like the saying goes "it's a dirty job but someone has to do it".

[Bill-1]

Hey, someone has to take the picture.

[!]

Looking for some responses to this type of email after video of accidents, tragedies, house fires, etc airs. Particularly sent by people actually involved in the story (accident/fire/crime victim). Thoughts?

Don't answer them. Nothing you can say will satisfy them.

[Marty McFly]

And the surgeon profits by removing someone's cancer as well...

[Dan R.]

Thanks for the input - good and helpful points.

[Bureau Chief]

I would say "why YES! I AM profitting handsomely from all this death & destruction, now excuse me, I hear there is a fatal crash of a school bus and we wouldnt want to miss THAT now would we??".

[Old Shooter]

I find it interesting that more than half of the first ten responses were either dismissive or condesending to the victim or person asking the question.

I think that says alot about why people see us as heartless bastards profiting off of their tragedy.

The other professions mentioned actually do a service for the victim insurance adjusters and bodyshops repair damage to cars and the doctor removes the cancer. In both cases the victim is better off than before.

Too often we sweep in, spray the story, get our soundbite with the nice crying mother, cause our emotional scars and leave to get dinner on the way back to the station.

Think about it, and if you are honest you will probably admit you know some people like that.

When I get the "you heartless bastard" call, I try to remember that the person is having a pretty rotten day and I probably made it worse. I'm not going to stop doing my job but that is the reality of the situation.

First off I apologize for their loss. Then I explain that nothing that we did caused their problem. (housefire, murder etc.) but that by showing the consequences we just might get another family to check a smoke detector or lock up a pistol away from their kid.

I guess I've been around long enough and had a few things hit very close to home (including homicide) to simply say "sucks to be you, gotta go"

[!]

First off I apologize for their loss. Then I explain that nothing that we did caused their problem. (housefire, murder etc.) but that by showing the consequences we just might get another family to check a smoke detector or lock up a pistol away from their kid.

Yeah, they stopped buying that line in about 1993, though.

[MyracleMan]

Yeah, they stopped buying that line in about 1993, though.

Agreed. Even though these people are having, quite possibly, the worst day of their lives, they have to be willing and able to take a step back from the situation and realize you're just doing the job you're bing paid to do. It's not like you're out there throwing puppies in front of busses, shooting the ensuing chaos, and selling the video to wahtever shop in the market is willing to pay you the most. You're providing a service to the community, and hopefully helping prevent the same tragedy in someone else's life. While you shouldn't have to justify yourself to the people whose damaged lives you report on, sometimes, you just have to.

[Roy Hobbs]

Judging from the BMWs and Benz's in the parking lot and the tailored suits on the second floor sales wing, at many stations we're suffering from people's profits.

[!]

While you shouldn't have to justify yourself to the people whose damaged lives you report on, sometimes, you just have to.
Once upon a time, I was waiting outside a house which was a murder-suicide crime scene along with the rest of the TV people...and a goodly number of lookie-loos, too, when, after a while, one came up to me and said, "You're a damned vulture! Why the hell are you here?"

I looked at him and said, "It's my job. Why are you here?"

He swore at me and walked away. But not away from the crowd, where he continued to stand.

[The Mockingbird]

You tell them that you're sorry if it seems that way, but you have a job to do, and if it seems like you aren't as sensitive as you could be, it's because it makes it easier to deal with all the tragedy you see day in and day out.

That way, when they bust you with a fist full of singles because you won the dead pool on the factory explosion, they won't think you're a hypocrite.