Media Criticism

I’m no fan of Accuracy in Media. It is a shrill, Rightwing organization that would give us Fox Noise on every network news outlet.

Still. . .

In a recent release, AIM notes that if Congress decides to regulate TV new because of violence in the aftermath of NBC News airing the Cho videos and photos after the Virginia Tech mass killings, that would be worse than the Peacock Network’s original action. (As I have blogged previously, I think NBC News made the right decision to air the Cho materials.)

Anyway, despite Reed Irvine’s ravings in his press release excerpted below, I have to agree: we don’t want the Federal Communications Commission going down this road.

An excerpt:

WASHINGTON, April 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Accuracy in Media editor Cliff Kincaid has released the following statement in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s recommendation that Congress regulate violence on some television programs:

“The FCC does not propose to regulate TV violence during newscasts but that is where the real danger lies. NBC’s decision to air the videos, photos and statements of a demented mass killer could inspire copycat murders and more killings. This material, featuring the NBC News logo, was far worse than any broadcast of fake violence on the ‘professional’ wrestling show WWE Smackdown. Keep in mind that the mass murder of 32 people at Virginia Tech was inspired by the Columbine killers, whose murder spree in Colorado was the subject of news coverage, not entertainment programming.

“NBC became the Al-Jazeera of mass murderers and the network of choice for killers in the future. That’s why AIM sought the firing of NBC News President Steve Capus at the GE annual meeting on April 25. He should pay for his grossly irresponsible decision with his job. Parents have a role in protecting their children from TV violence and that goes far beyond changing the channel. Parents have to join with other citizens in putting pressure on the media not to glorify and sensationalize violence.

“The danger in Congress getting involved is that members of the House and Senate, in the current political climate, could use the excuse of regulating TV violence to go after the media for political or other forms of ‘indecent’ speech that may offend them. That is where Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, the primary movers in the Don Imus affair, want to go. We do not need Al Sharpton — or someone like him — as chairman of the FCC.”

Accuracy in Media (AIM) is a non-profit, grassroots citizens’ watchdog of the news media. Founded in 1969 by Reed Irvine, AIM is the oldest press watchdog group in America. For more information, please visit http://www.aim.org/.

Above: A tribute to the victims of the Virginia Tech murders. Virginia Tech caps were donated to PGA TOUR players to show their support during the third round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans held at TPC Louisiana in New Orleans, Louisiana, on April 21, 2007. Photo by: Stan Badz/PGA TOUR. PGA TOUR - 2007 Zurich Classic of New Orleans - Third Round.

Cho Seung-Hui, Cho Seung Hui, NBC News, Virginia Tech killings, AIM, Accuracy in Media, FCC, Federal Communications Commission

NBC News’ decision to air portions of Cho Seung-Hui’s has been criticized as insensitive to the victims of the Virgnia Tech mass murder and giving other potential wackos motivation to try and get their own televised moment of gory glory.

The American Psychiatric Assocation has now weighed in on the controversy, urging the Peacock Network to not air the Cho video and images.

An excerpt:

Today the American Psychiatric Association (APA) sent an open letter to the news media urging them to stop airing the disturbing writings, photographs and video that NBC News reportedly received from Cho Seung-Hui, who committed suicide after murdering 32 students and faculty and wounding at least 29 others at Virginia Tech.

The letter was signed by APA President Pedro Ruiz, M.D., and contained two enclosures: a World Health Organization report, entitled “Preventing Suicide: A Resource for Media Professionals,” and a study from American Behavioral Scientist, entitled “Media Contagion and Suicide among the Young” and authored by Madelyn Gould, Ph.D., of Columbia University and colleagues. The full text of the letter is as follows:

On behalf of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and our 38,000 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses, I urge all news media outlets to stop airing the disturbing writings, photographs and video that NBC News reportedly received from Cho Seung-Hui, who committed suicide after murdering 32 students and faculty and wounding at least 29 others at Virginia Tech.

The publicity of the Cho materials not only seems insensitive to the grieving and traumatized families, friends and peers of those murdered and injured, but also seriously jeopardizes the public’s safety by potentially inciting “copycat” suicides, homicides and other incidents. Because the scientific evidence in this area is clear, the World Health Organization, in its 2000 report “Preventing Suicide: A Resource for Media Professionals,” said: “Glorifying suicide victims as martyrs and objects of public adulation may suggest to susceptible persons that their society honours suicidal behaviour.” Indeed, it is evident to many that the Columbine tragedy was a powerful force in Mr. Cho’s writings. The media have an important role to play in limiting the power of such tragedies by choosing not to sensationalize them.

Related websites:

http://www.psych.org/
http://www.healthyminds.org/

My own position on this as a First Amendment lawyer, former TV journalist and a father of two school aged children is mixed. I completely understand that victims and their families will be upset by the video and images. I also understand that giving this nut a final moment of glory might encourage other nutjobs.

But on the other hand, the fact that Cho sent NBC these materials–between killings no less–is unquestionably news. It is something out of the ordinary. It is a key part of the story. And knowing what Cho said and seeing his images helps explain or at least shed some insight into Cho’s actions.

Also, it appears NBC News agonized over the decision and had a full debate about the implications of airing–or not airing–the materials. Information yearns to be free in a free society. I think NBC handled the release of information in a professional and sensitive manner.

Truth is what we expect our free press to pursue in a free society. Sometimes that truth is disturbing. But NBC, just like Virginia Tech, did not pull the trigger. A madman did. And the more we all understand what creates madmen in our free society, the better off–and more informed–we’ll all be. Just as guns are part of our free society, so is a free press that goes where the facts and truth leads it. It is an uncomforatable but necessary part of living in a free country.

Cross posted from TV Bloggin.

Cho Seung-Hui, Cho Seung Hui, Virginia Tech, NBC News, TV news, Virginia Tech killings

Talk about creepy.

Breaking news out of Blacksburg, VA regarding the Virginia Tech murders. The killer sent a package to NBC News in New York between shootings on campus.

Blinkx found a local TV report on the story. Click here to watch: http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=37813@kcbs.dayport.com

Above: One of the photos Virginia Tech mass murderer Cho Seung-Hui took of himself and sent with other materials to NBC News between shootings.

Cross posted from TV Bloggin.

Blinkx, Blinkx.com, Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech killings, NBC, NBC News, KCBS, KCBS-TV, Virginia Tech killer, Virginia Tech shooter