Should the media have broadcast the video and violent images of Virginia Tech shooter Cho Seung-Huis?
NO! It’s important to transmit the news but then back off. Media thrives on misery and turmoil and they make it their mission to milk stories to No end. Just look at the Jessica Simpson Story which does not seem to want to go away, and why, because media made an elaborate production out of the whole thing and people were drawn to it. News is Big business and with it carries big dollars for the networks. Not to state this is anywhere near the significance of what occurred at Virginia Tech, but the Media will take this story to create sub stories, TV specials and next thing you know Hollywood will get involved. It’s at a point where People are already desensitized to the horrors people are capable of. If media ignored the details of the maniacs and focused rather on only the victims and events, maybe attention seekers wanting their minute of fame or those wanting to transmit their messages to the world would go away or at least diminish. Until the media stops mentioning and acting as the
I think they should be able to. If someone is going to be “provoked” by hearing such a message, he/she will end up doing it anyway. Such violence is caused by much more then seeing such a video – or even video games, music, movies. I don’t remember the last time I opened a paper and didn’t read about a soldier being killed, a murder, a sexual assult. Unless we stop running all violent stories, which of course we shouldn’t, and probably couldn’t anyway, we should focus on showing potential killers that there is help available to them before they ever hurt someone, and in cases where a person would be deemed “high risk”, ensure that proper steps are taken, including commmiting the person for psychological exam.
The gunman apparently left his tape as part of his legacy, knowing full well it would get widespread attention. In giving that widespread attention, the media have assured other unfortunate people who feel “forgotten” by society that they can indeed leave a big mark on this world, that even in death they will be “remembered”. The more heinous the crime, the bigger the name… The media (and violent video games and movies) do fuel that undercurrent of violence and bring it into the mainstream. Some people who feel forgotten or snubbed by society, having nothing to live for, seek their “importance” through hurting others. The media and violent games and movies not only desensitize people, they show HOW to go about violent deeds. “Freedom of speech / press / expression” is NOT LICENCE; TRUE FREEDOM ENTAILS RESPONSIBILITY NOT TO HURT SOCIETY! If the press truly cared about society, it would quit sensationalizing crime; report, yes, but not carry reporting to the ultimate extremes. Only pro
I don’t think that the media should be broadcasting these horrific stories which glorify the killers. We have already seen a great deal of copy cats from these situations, which includes the Virginia Tech shooting. I refuse to use the characters name because it prompts exactly what he wanted, five minutes of fame and people to remember him. In stead of being remembered for something worthy of memory, he opted for the easy way out, something our society promotes in today’s world. I am also growing tired of people coming to North America and using our systems to gain these types of exposure and education. What kind of governing policies do we have that allows these types of people into closer proximity to us.
