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Dave Petteys of Roxborough Park writes:
It is a fact that in sports TV coverage, cameras will <i>noti> cover a streaker should one jump out and dash across a basketball court or baseball field. Why? To discourage others from following suit!
Should not this common-sense precept be applied to Virginia Tech-like situations as well?
The message the media is sending is this: If you want your views broadcast nationwide, all you have to do is make a videotaped last will and testament and create mayhem!
The killer did follow the publicized Hamas example to a T.
If the Columbine count was around 15 and the Virginia Tech count was around 30, does this mean that the next number in the series needs to be 60 in order to get on TV news?
Freedom of speech does have a dimension of responsibility, something the media has apparently cast aside.

READER COMMENTS

Their only responsibility is to making money, and the lowest common denominator leads the pack. Responsibility and ethics will get you canceled or fired in a heartbeat:

Todays broadcast media.

I quite agree with Dave Pettys that the amount of coverage afforded to the killer was obscene and can well serve to incite others who dislike being ignored and are looking for a way to get their fifteen minutes (make that several weeks) of fame.

I didn't quite follow Dave's analogy about streakers unless he was being satirical. Publicizing the sneaker doesn't discourage but rather encourages like conduct since the purpose of the conduct is to get publicity.

Truth

Learn to read.

The media want more shootings.They know that people will copy the VT shooter if they publicize the shooting.The media in general are anti gun and want the shootings to push for more gun control.They claim that they stopped showing the Twin Towers falling because it upset people.In other word made the people willing to fight the war which goes against the media's agenda.They know what they are doing!!!

"Truth, Learn to read.
Posted by on April 28, 2007 01:47 PM"

Thanks much for the heads up, I'll get right on it. Gee, I wish I had thought of that.

Truth- That post about you learning to read was because you missed the point of the letter. The letter said that they DON'T show a streaker so as not to encourage that behavior, and you wondered how SHOWING a "sneaker" would discourage like conduct.

It looked like you were having a bad day Saturday, since you misunderstood the point being made in 2 posts that day.

The massive video coverage of that garbage who shot those at VT, reminds me of the massive coverage of 9/11. First they saturate the airwaves with something totally emotional, make a statement as to who & why, then change the subject. Don't worry, go shopping, live your lives, etc.....
What we have seen is not the whole truth here. Waiting for the other shoe to drop, the "lets confiscate all the guns" one.

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