Up for Debate: Media response to Newtown tragedy

Is the media really any different from the average people one encounters on the street?

Think about it.

People feel the need to share information about events, good or bad, but especially bad. Other people want to know what is happening. Thus, information and sadly, disinformation spreads quickly.

WE, being human, encourage this because we tune in and clamor for more.

This will naturally lead to some wrong information being reported as everyone repeats what they have heard, or thought they heard.

Ever hear the phrase, "If it bleeds, it leads?" This is a guideline for news media (and people in general) because, any event which elicits strong emotional response will draw people in. Whether driven by morbid curiosity, outrage, a feeling of thankfulness for being spared, the citizenry wants to hear about these happenings, no matter how horrendous. The more terrible, the more demand there is for news.

The news will get out. If another is inclined to imitate the act or do worse, they may do so sooner, but I believe they would have eventually acted with or without the added impetus.

I find people need to discuss these issues to get their feelings and emotions out. Some seek validation of the way they feel while others, I believe, just need to vent, to find a relief valve for their emotions. Facebook and Twitter have replaced the party line, (remember those?) the back yard fence, barber shop, and other traditional outlets as places to exchange views and swap gossip.

The only difference I see is people are less civil and more prone to be rude and call others names online. I believe the anonymity is a positive aspect, encouraging true opinions, rendering the rudeness factor an inevitable byproduct. We just have to ignore those incapable of civil discussion and not ever address them.

Boards such as this provide an invaluable service making available an outlet for views and opinions so citizens can freely express feelings without worrying about retribution or acts of physical violence from those less able to verbally express themselves.

My issue with the media in this case, is that they seemed to be competing against each other to be first with the scoop, and in doing so misidentified the shooter. I understand the "breaking news" event, but if you're going to show someone's picture as having just killed 26 people, you better be damned sure you're right.

Now, not only does Ryan Lanza have to deal with the fact that he lost his brother and mother, he has to deal with the people who thought he was the murderer. That's lazy journalism, IMO. These organizations should have some discretion and integrity. If CBS has identified someone, but you can't confirm, then don't and be honest about it. Some networks have identified someone as the shooter but (fill in network) is unable to confirm this at this time.

How hard is that?

Also, interviewing children is crossing the line. Yes, CNN made a point to say the parents gave permission, but it just didn't seem in good taste. Whether that's the network's problem or parents in shock who didn't think it out, it was very troubling to see a microphone stuck in a face of a terrified child.

Yall have a great day! To the few people here with good commen sense, don't let the libtards get you down. They are ignorant humman beings!

The NRA sure would have liked the news media out of it. The face of the children victims has put them in a bad spotlight.

So to answer your question no.

OK, why in the world were reporters interviewing children during this horrible event? Seriously! Have some respect.

Mass murders always happens in gun free zones. The killers are so stupid they will go into areas well know to have armed citizens.

www.conservativeactionalerts.com/2012/12/newtown-gun-free-zones-invite-mad-mass-murderers-say-law-officers/

How many children's lives would have been saved if some, or someone, in the school facility had been armed?

So, is the Tea Party in the program with the Democratic Party, B2? I see where Barry is going to sign a new martial law bill.

Are you prepared for their takeover? If you're familiar with martial law, read it and weep.

www.conservativeactionalerts.com/2012/12/obama-signing-new-martial-law-bill/

And the [Usedtobe] Republicans have become twins with the Democrats is the
Same Party" group.

Blanket - The parents should not have allowed any media interviews.

And the media takes every advantage of that!

I can only imagine mine, blanket, and it wouldn't include exploiting my child, which is exactly what they were doing. Maybe a month, six months down the road, once the child has been given the proper psychological help...

I hope the parents all get the counseling they need as well. If I were in their shoes I would probably become pathologically overly protective of my child. I would be paranoid as hell for a while.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/ndrp.asp

Thanks for the post Blanket. The Tea Party was once to strong for liberals to defeat, but their sure madness as brought them to a halt and their numbers a declining. But what cost to the Republican Party.

LOL bfra and I'm still wating.

LOL Blanket, but can they read or remember that.

Under Richard Nixon's rule, the Grand Old Party reached out to the segregationists, gun nuts and Jesus freaks who were so upset over the Civil Rights Law. A series of Republican administrations has moved the GOP ever further to the extreme right....the Tea Bagger movement is the culmination of the GOP's attempt to court the votes of idiots and A-holes.

Tricky Dick's diabolical plan worked....the racist, born-again "solid south" flipped over to the GOP side....but, as a consequence, tolerant and secular Republicans became marginalized in the party....many of those people became Libertarians or went over to the more sane and secular Democratic side.

With its oppressive, faith-based agenda and mean-spirited leadership, the GOP is in serious danger of becoming a national disgrace....and a washed-up wreck of a political institution....hate no longer sells like it used to.

It's easier and cheaper to get an assault weapon than it is to get access to mental health care. Now that says something.

North Carolina's sleazy governor chose an Uncle-Tom-type black politician to replace Jim DeMint in the US Senate...so that the people in NC can now say, "We appointed a Negro to the US Senate, now call us racists!" How cynical is that?

Hopefully, the Uncle Tom Senator is like so many other black, Uncle-Tom-type politicians; if so, he will probably be the subject of an ethics and finance investigation....followed by a quick resignation....that's the usual pattern, isn't it?

I hear ya Bn....and it's easier to buy a handgun than a bag of good herb in America.

Good morning to you too, Captain.

Oh no officer. Those are herbs for my salad

gdiafante on 12/18/12 at 7:10
Actually Parnell that story has been reported. What it shows is that a trained police officer is better equiped to stop a nutjob than Joe Schmo, the average gun owner. In fact, where was Joe Schmo during this entire event?

Actually G, yesterday the media was saying that when the police "finally" get there, more people are dead because it takes up to 5 minutes for them to arrive (or longer). And if the event is stopped by an average gun owner, less people die.

Think about it stupid. The principal charged the guy with no weapon or way to defend herself. She was shot; is dead. A hero - yes. But her death did not help the others he killed. If she was packing, she could have shot the monster. Are you people too stupid to see that fact. SHE COULD HAVE KILLED HIM IF SHE WERE ARMED AND TRAINED TO BE A DESIGNATED DEFENDER.

And Blanket, I'm sure the parents who allowed their children to speak were OK especially since they were grateful their child was OK. Stop being so critical. You've never had to experience this type of tragedy. Hope you never do.

Our country turned their backs on God years ago. They took God out of the schools and replaced Him with Guns, Gangs, and Government. The government thinks it knows better than parents on how to raise kids. Gangs are just lurking around waiting to adopt them into their "family" and give them guns -- obtained illegally.

Taking away gun rights from legal, authorized citizens who carry for protection just makes the gangs happier and the criminals more prosperous.

One school district in Butler County PA has filed to have a court order to allow them to have protection on their school campus's in their district provided by armed guards. I don't blame them.

It is sad that we have to resort to this. When I was a kid, my brother and other kids took their guns to school so they could go hunting for deer afterwards. They left the guns in the car/truck or locked in principals office. Never heard of one kid getting shot at school when those days were in style. Too bad the libtards have ruined it all with their doping of ADD kids so early to shut them up; their running of everyone's family and their "know it all" attitude towards society.

Libs think we're all too stupid to make decisions. They are so wrong!

He was a Dirty Sanchez last night when the Titans defense finished with him.

Instead of disarming the nut jobs, we'll fortify our public places? Schools. theaters, malls, sports arenas etc. will now become fortified compounds?

And we still sing about the land of the free and home of the brave....the lunatics are running the asylum....mass hysteria is no longer uncommon....it's the new normal.

There is absolutely no need for anyone except the military to be in possession of an assault weapon. Zero reason.

Bud, unless the principal was carrying a gun on her person, it wouldn't have mattered. She rushed the gunman at the first sound of gunfire.

It's a sad commentary on our society when the only answer, for some, is to arm everyone. Excuse me if I refuse to allow my child to attend Dodge City Elementary.

Oh wait, Earp didn't allow people to carry guns within the city limits...my bad.