5:09 PM Thu, Apr 19, 2007 | Permalink
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NBC and the rest of us in the media have received a lot of criticism for releasing the video and pictures sent by Virginia Tech killer Cho Seung Hui.
Critics say that the video victimizes the Virginia Tech students, faculty and parents again. They say it could even lead to copycat crimes on college campuses.
Like virtually every media outlet, Northwest NewsChannel 8 used the Cho video in stories yesterday and this morning. We did not make that decision lightly. We, too, found the video very disturbing and were aware of the good arguments against using the video.
After much discussion, we decided to limit the amount of video we used. We decided not to use the more blatant material outside the newscast where it could not be put into context. We produced two stories that evaluated whether it was a good idea for us to release the video.
That said, we believed that the video and pictures gave us an insight into the twisted thinking of this mass murderer. We believed that we might learn something that could help us identify others in our society with the same, dangerous tendancies. We thought we could provide some context and perspective on the material.
That view was supported by crime experts from around the country that I heard interviewed. One of them was Dr. Frank Colistro, a Portland criminal psychologist that we often interview for insights into the criminal mind. He told us, "The fact of the matter is that there are people like this out there, there are lots of them."
But this morning we made the decision that any public service gained by airing the video had been served. The public had a chance to see and hear Cho's words. People had the chance to assess the potential threat from people who think like Cho. There was no sound journalistic reason for airing the material again.
So starting at noon today we stopped using the video on television. We will only use it again if there is a compelling and relevant journalistic reason to do so.
Some of the material will be used on our web site, kgw.com, where people choose to seek it out. Also, I must draw a distinction between KGW and NBC. Even if we decide not to use it, NBC may make a different decision. We are two separate and independent news organizations. NBC may use it, so you may still see it on KGW.
On a personal note, journalists are not immune from the pain of this story. Many of us have college-aged students living away from home. Many of us can identify with the concern all parents have about the safety of their chilren. We feel for all of those who lost loved ones. And, like everyone else, we were disturbed and disgusted by the Cho video.
We, too, do not want the country further traumatized by this crazed killer.
Rod Gramer
Executive News Director
KGW Northwest Newschannel 8
SHAME SHAME SHAME ON YOU FOR INTERRUPTING THAT NEWS CONFERENCE!
THE STUDENTS THAT DIED DESERVED THE RESPECT THAT WAS BEING GIVEN THEM. YOU EFFECTIVELY SAID THEY MATTER LESS THAN A WEATHER REPORT BY CUTTING OFF THE READING OF THEIR NAMES. YOU ALL SHOULD BE VERY ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES AND THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS DESERVE AN APOLOGY FOR YOU CALLUS UNFEELING DISPLAY!