Cho Seung-Hui: The NBC News Morality Question
Published April 23, 2007
It's amazing how quickly the whole country — the blogs and the news — went into “What the Hell?” mode after the Virginia Tech shooting and wanted to know all about what had happened. Not only that, there were a lot of voices guessing and pontificating about the atrocity. For the most part, I waited to organize my thoughts until there was more foundation on which to build. Unlike the news, I had that luxury.
There are numerous issues going on. I'll take on one here, though I think the most important issue to come out of this will be the inadequate state of mental health care in the country.
NBC News got a package in the mail from Cho Seung-Hui, sent in between his two bursts of gunfire as he destroyed 33 lives and dreams at Virginia Tech Monday. At that point it was from a dead man. The package contained photos, an astounding number of video clips, and some written materials. As far as I can gather, the photos were "tough man" poses that showed little. The video clips showed more.
NBC News is getting much more support from the general public than I would have thought. It's a journalistic decision, but also there has to be a consideration for what their audience thinks. That it would make a lot of money for the network is not a consideration in fatal situations like this, though I understand how that nuance can be overlooked when that's exactly what they do with celebrity news, and keep that news alive for a long time.
The mood about the media, which has become a pejorative in the minds of those who want it to be, has changed somewhat. The phrase, “the media," usually refers to national media and large newspapers that most people can be reasonably assumed to have heard of.
I clearly remember post-9/11 — and not all that post — about how the media was being overly protective by not airing people jumping out of the towers. (Deep breath, even the memory, jeez). I clearly remember it because it was an exact flip of everything I had heard before, that the media sensationalizes everything. I didn’t think the extra footage of that was useful, and I was stunned at the seeming need to see it. Judgment.
I would add that, yes Cho’s video deserves to be aired because it does give some insight to the person. It’s valuable for the millions of people who are asking the questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how. It may help to answer some of those questions. I’ve read about the video, but I haven’t watched it. Most “event” TV news disgusts me, with the movie trailer voiceovers.
- Cho Seung-Hui: The NBC News Morality Question
- Published: April 23, 2007
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Culture
- Filed Under: Culture: Business and Economics, Culture: Crime and Court, Culture: Media, Culture: Society, Video: Film and TV Business
- Writer: Temple Stark
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I just keep on tryig to draw the line in my head and cn't find one. If some loon kills A president, and sends tapes to your address (assuming you have a blog), would you just not run any of it?
Or sends it no CBS or Fox News or the Weather Channel, do you, do they not run it?
And if you say well, of course we run it, it's the president, well, then you're saying his or her life is more important than 32 Americans. In reality, perhaps no, because America will get another president that very same day.
I'm a little upset that people are saying the families aren't being recognized and the victims aren't being remembered. I'm happy to say, that's completely untrue. As just one examplem, Time magazine did a much better job than Newsweek of remembering just this fact. Seen the covers of both this week?
I would add that this site right here has done pretty much nothing about the victims, not directly. Does that make them evil or uncaring? I don't think so.
It really seems that NBC gave this guy celebrity. They made him bigger. Without the footage, he would have been just another anonymous nutcase.
Temple, why do you think he won't inspire copycats? Look at the Palestinian suicide bombers. The culture elevates them, and that's often enough incentive for a depressed teenager. That's the same path NBC would have us follow.
Don't bring Palestine into this, I beg of you. Let's see if I can stop it right here. Are you comparing their culture to American culture? It seems as if you did (probably not intentionally). It also seems to me there are a lot more suicide bombers than "debressed teenagers." Maybe you can quickly think of a few on reflection.
I don't know, don't you remember - since it was such a long time ago? - the coverage of the shooting before the video was released. Wasn't he already a "celebrity" to use your word, not mine.
-Temple
PS, Who's this "us" in have us follow?" Genune question.
PPS Has there ever been an anonymous nutcase? (Yes, there's a certain inherent conflict in the ?, sorry.) We found out the names of the Sept. 11 bombers. Why?
Temple, I don't know what else to say. I chose the Palestinian analogy deliberately. For some people, fame is king, and national coverage is worth any price.
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/62901)
NBC made a serious mistake. I do not think showing pictures of this deranged publicity seeker was necessary. I felt anger for myself of the punk who tried to look like a man and a victim. But I also feel sorry for the families. Hence, I found your "Newsworthy" piece and release offensive.
I speak for myself and no one else.