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NBC right or wrong?

Posted: Thu 19 Apr, 2007 23.25
by DVB Cornwall
Were NBC right to show 'that material'?

Conducting a similar poll next door would be difficult to police.

Posted: Thu 19 Apr, 2007 23.29
by Jamez
Of course NBC should have shown the material. It's very much in the public interest to see and hear this maniac in his own disturbed words.

I think the issue about NBC broadcasting this material is nothing more than sour grapes at the hands of CNN, ABC and BBC. Those networks are jealous that he chose to send that parcel of videos and pictures to NBC and not them. They would have broadcast the material just like NBC did.

Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 09.00
by marksi
What's "in the public interest" about it? It proves the guy was completely nuts. But then we already knew that, as the sane among us (and in fairness even the mostly insane) don't go about shooting innocent people dead.

I don't have a problem in NBC reporting that they have received the stuff, or even showing some of the stills (excluding the one where he points a gun at the camera) but the amount of material that has been shown can only cause the families of his victims further grief and upset.

It gives the gunman what he wanted - can that be justified?

Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 11.01
by Gavin Scott
I'm with you Marksi. This guy presumably had fantasies about these images being shown and he's got his wish.

What possible good can come of that? Other insane potential killers can see they will live on in images and downloaded video in perpetuity.

It wouldn't surprise me if we see more of the same in future.

All this "public right to know" stuff is bogus.

Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 16.38
by Jovis
Its ridiculous - this is what he wanted. He wouldn't have sent it if he didn't. And that's where the fault is; he wants to be known years down the line as one of the biggest mass murderers there's ever been, and showing that supports the cause.

The other issue is when it was shown. A few days after the event? Those poor families. It must make them feel even worse.

Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 21.08
by Stuart*
The images were important in demonstrating the state of mind that can develop and the ease at which the terrible consequences can be put into effect - but now was not a time to show it. It abided by the killer's final wishes and merely completed his quest - something NBC should now be charged with as being an "accomplaice after the fact" (if such a charge exists in the US).

It should've been kept back for the trial and perhaps shown after that process was over (many years in the US).

Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 21.55
by Pete
How many people complain about Al Jazeera showing bin laden tapes or when the BBC interviewed the taleban?

Posted: Sat 21 Apr, 2007 00.26
by Stuart*
Hymagumba wrote:How many people complain about Al Jazeera showing bin laden tapes or when the BBC interviewed the taleban?
Bin Laden is not a killer in the term "first degree" if we have to get technical. He does not commit the crimes of murder himself.

NBC showed the rhetoric of a deranged individual, after they had killed 30+ people.

I think the discussion is whether that was right or wrong, at this moment, and given the personal nature of the crime.

Re: NBC right or wrong?

Posted: Mon 23 Apr, 2007 13.39
by cdd
DVB Cornwall wrote:Conducting a similar poll next door would be difficult to police.
What do you mean by that?

Re: NBC right or wrong?

Posted: Mon 23 Apr, 2007 19.30
by Johnny
cdd wrote:
DVB Cornwall wrote:Conducting a similar poll next door would be difficult to police.
What do you mean by that?
I think he means the TV Forum

As for whether or not it should have been shown, it should have but not for a month or so, it's just too soon.

Re: NBC right or wrong?

Posted: Tue 24 Apr, 2007 11.04
by cdd
Johnny wrote:
cdd wrote:
DVB Cornwall wrote:Conducting a similar poll next door would be difficult to police.
What do you mean by that?
I think he means the TV Forum
Yes, I inferred that, what I don't understand is why it "would be difficult to police". For one thing, why does it need "policing"!?