Note: Jump directly to video here.
I’ve heard just about heard everything now. TVNewser is reporting that NBC is taking a proactive position to blunt the outrage over their decision to promote the Cho video and “media manifesto” for ratings. Get this:
NBC has instituted a policy about the usage of the gunman video on NBC News. “We will limit the use of the video to 10 percent of our airtime — translating to no more than 6 minutes per hour on MSNBC,” a spokesperson says…
What’s the problem with this? For one this means that NBC will actually need to promote the video and “manifesto” more often on more shows since they are going to release them in smaller six minute chunks. This is no different than what they were doing in the first place.
I decided to go back and check out last night’s blockbuster airing of the video on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. The broadcast was 30 minutes long and had 9 separate plugs for the video manifesto; spreading it out from the beginning of the show, through commercial breaks and right up to the last minute of the show. In total NBC used up 2 minutes and 30 seconds to cover the intros and teasers alone!
I put them together to see how shamelessly they morphed the story about Cho into a story about Cho sending the video and manifesto to NBC. No wonder parents, relatives and friends are upset.
I covered this story earlier last night in real time while they aired the video and I noted that people were all over the spectrum. My personal feelings were immediately focused on the way NBC was promoting it. The piecemeal release and repetitive plugs was nothing short of a shamless plug of the the video for ratings. I feel the same today.
The latest decision by NBC is actually worse than the original act. It seems NBC has found a way to cleverly keep the story of the media manifesto going with their new plan. Bad move.
For it’s part Fox News has announced that they will not use the video anymore. At least Fox who is very much derided by the left has the common sense to look back on this and say that perhaps this wasn’t the best way to go. Will others do the same?
Others: Matthew Sheffield is covering all the updates on Newsbusters.
See Also:
Michelle Malkin, Sensible Mom, Right Wing News, Betsy’s Page, Howard Kurtz, Huffington Post - Eat The Press
TVNewser, NBC, Cho video, media manifesto, NBC New, MSNBC, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams
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NBC is taking heat by law enforcement for airing the videos at all, as are other networks. Law enforcement says that if a potential nut was going to be inspired, that’s already happened. You can’t put the egg back in the shell.
Comment by Debbie | April 19, 2007
p.s. Law enforcement is also saying that the families of the victims have also been hurt by the showing of the video. I’m not sure I agree with law enforcement. It’s good to see the face of the enemy to attacked and killed so many.
Yes there were several other universities who had ‘events’ after the VT attack. But so far as we know, there was nothing to any of them. If a criminal is going to act, he/she will use any excuse. Personally I see nothing wrong with showing a portion of the video, but like anything else, enough is enough. continuous play, whether a teaser or whatever, is not good for many reasons.
Comment by Debbie | April 19, 2007
Agreed. I am not sure that the discussion really belongs with law enforcement. They will likely get complaints but it’s not really a law enforcement issue. The sensitivities of the families is definitely a factor that should be considered.
We come across this issue all the time from 911 calls on 9-11 and the phone calls of the families on the hijacked planes down to the unabomber manifesto; difference being that Kaczynski is still alive of course.
It’s a hard call. There is certainly an element of newsworthiness to it. If they hadn’t released the video or manifesto I am sure there would be a ton of conspiracy theories floating around.
For me it comes down to the obvious promotion and use of the materials as marketing tools. NBC erred in that aspect and that is why they are on the hot seat.
Comment by the Webloggin Editor | April 19, 2007
I dont know anybody from V-tech, so i cant even pretend to understand fully their loss, but NBC has crossed a line right now that should not have been even approached.
They are obviously giving the mass murderer sonofabitch everything he wanted, probably down to the last detail now. Why would you give this last wish to such a sorry*(& )*(& )* *^*& murderer?? Oh, yeah.. ratings/ money, upkeep of the goddamn parasites. Go ahead, make a celebrity of the moth&*#&@!#. Just like he wanted, but who cares , right? You guys are bringing in more ratings than you ever have in too long for your blood efficient/ money craving assholes. (Which isnt very long at all, take your pick.)
I hope some real sort of powerful opponent tears you down till you cry and pray probably your first prayer to your twisted version of self appreciation in many years. You deserve no less, the ‘mass’ version of media needs to be slammed here especially if this happens again soon.
This is gotta be the last straw with the mass media, NBC primarily. They are nothing but blood - sucking vampires that feed upon others’ misery.
With love from Ohio State.
Comment by Roccdrummer | April 19, 2007
Mass Murder, Martyrdom, And The Media…
Nicole Gelinas has some thoughts on how Cho Seung-Hui “expertly manipulated NBC and its competitors”:Why did NBC Newsas well as its competitors and print-media counterpartsshow that video? Through the spectacular posthumous attention that the med…
Trackback by Ed Driscoll.com | April 19, 2007
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