Comments on: Where should we draw the line? http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/ Our editors & readers talk Tue, 7 Oct 2008 08:58:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Frances Valdes http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-189284 Frances Valdes Tue, 29 May 2007 17:05:03 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-189284 I was looking for a place to make a comment regarding Cindy Sheehan and her quest for peace. I feel for her. She realizes that America is not what she thought. I have also realized this. We are a country driven by money. The reasons for this war are so many it boggles the mind. We are at war for corporations/business to continue to make a profit. We are at war for President Bush's quest to continue profitting from oil production in the middle east, and he hopes to provide places out there for his buddies and his family to continue to profit since America's oil supply is dwindling. America has no time to go out and protest a war when we are barely able to make ends meet with our low salaries and very little leave time to do so. I wish there were corporations out there that would sponsor an end to the war. Perhaps we can then stop work and life to go out and protest. I wish politics did not play a part in Politics. Unfortunately, it does. I was also highly crazed to see that the democrats had to buckle under President Bush's threats of veto. MY BIG QUESTIONS ARE THESE: WHY HASN'T THIS MAN BEEN IMPEACHED FOR WAR CRIMES, AND HAS ANYONE REALIZED PRESIDENT BUSH'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST, OIL, AS BEING THE REASON FOR THIS WAR? I want to screem at the top of my lungs about American problems. We have lots of social issues, and America has been lulled into a false sense of democracy and freedom. We are not free, we are slaves to the American military and the American Tax system. I was looking for a place to make a comment regarding Cindy Sheehan and her quest for peace. I feel for her. She realizes that America is not what she thought. I have also realized this. We are a country driven by money. The reasons for this war are so many it boggles the mind. We are at war for corporations/business to continue to make a profit. We are at war for President Bush’s quest to continue profitting from oil production in the middle east, and he hopes to provide places out there for his buddies and his family to continue to profit since America’s oil supply is dwindling. America has no time to go out and protest a war when we are barely able to make ends meet with our low salaries and very little leave time to do so. I wish there were corporations out there that would sponsor an end to the war. Perhaps we can then stop work and life to go out and protest. I wish politics did not play a part in Politics. Unfortunately, it does. I was also highly crazed to see that the democrats had to buckle under President Bush’s threats of veto. MY BIG QUESTIONS ARE THESE: WHY HASN’T THIS MAN BEEN IMPEACHED FOR WAR CRIMES, AND HAS ANYONE REALIZED PRESIDENT BUSH’S CONFLICT OF INTEREST, OIL, AS BEING THE REASON FOR THIS WAR? I want to screem at the top of my lungs about American problems. We have lots of social issues, and America has been lulled into a false sense of democracy and freedom. We are not free, we are slaves to the American military and the American Tax system.

]]> By: Diana Ngila http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-176769 Diana Ngila Thu, 10 May 2007 10:13:45 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-176769 I do agree with Reuters Community Editor that as journalists we are obligated to tell the full story to te public. They deserve to know the truth. Though this is so, journalists do tend to overstep their boundaries in the name of "reporting." It is hurtful for family and friends of those that died as a result of Cho's actions. Yes time cannot be reversed so that some things are undone but even as we seek to report let's not be insensitive. I do agree with Reuters Community Editor that as journalists we are obligated to tell the full story to te public. They deserve to know the truth. Though this is so, journalists do tend to overstep their boundaries in the name of “reporting.” It is hurtful for family and friends of those that died as a result of Cho’s actions. Yes time cannot be reversed so that some things are undone but even as we seek to report let’s not be insensitive.

]]> By: Ikey Benney, On Virginia Tech Shooting By Cho Seung Hui http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-171266 Ikey Benney, On Virginia Tech Shooting By Cho Seung Hui Wed, 25 Apr 2007 07:51:57 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-171266 What happened in Virginia Tech School was a sad tragedy. Cho Seung Hui was a frustrated young man who was emotionally disturbed but got little or no attention from his family or friends. Instead his so called friends worked hard to make him feel that he never belonged and that he was weirdo. If they had helped introduced him to a few girls, perhaps, instead of alienating him as they did, this sad tragedy might have been avoided and the 32 students he killed would still be alive. And it is disturbing how some of the mass media are always in a rush to stereotype a whole continent of people. What is the point in stressing that he was Asian? Do some of these journalists know anything about geography? There are many countries in Asia. Asia is not a country but a continent. And what is the point in stressing his race? No matter his race, he lived and committed the crime in America and not in his native country. May be his problem was his life in America! Most Journalists are always in the habit of chasing after and focusing upon the fruits of the problems of society instead of the root causes. Most Journalists seem to always be part of the problem instead of the solution: twisting stories, stoking and fanning racial emotions in order to generate publicity and make money peddling stories of human tragedies. Ikey Benney What happened in Virginia Tech School was a sad tragedy.

Cho Seung Hui was a frustrated young man who was emotionally disturbed but got little or no attention from his family or friends.

Instead his so called friends worked hard to make him feel that he never belonged and that he was weirdo.

If they had helped introduced him to a few girls, perhaps, instead of alienating him as they did, this sad tragedy might have been avoided and the 32 students he killed would still be alive.

And it is disturbing how some of the mass media are always in a rush to stereotype a whole continent of people.

What is the point in stressing that he was Asian?

Do some of these journalists know anything about geography?

There are many countries in Asia.

Asia is not a country but a continent.

And what is the point in stressing his race?
No matter his race, he lived and committed the crime in America and not in his native country. May be his problem was his life in America!

Most Journalists are always in the habit of chasing after and focusing upon the fruits of the problems of society instead of the root causes.

Most Journalists seem to always be part of the problem instead of the solution: twisting stories, stoking and fanning racial emotions in order to generate publicity and make money peddling stories of human tragedies.

Ikey Benney

]]> By: HC http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-170359 HC Mon, 23 Apr 2007 00:27:33 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-170359 The media seems to be content with stereotyping sinpers as mentally disturbed and as the identified patient. I did not see quality media coverage, more like the regular white-wash. The media did not show students jumping out of windows to avoid the sniper Cho. I do not believe any of it anyway because students and poets are generally not violent, and asians commit somewhere less than 0.3% of crimes in America. I have come to the conclusion that there is no real point in reading or watching the news very often because there really is no in-depth coverage, and/or the media violates peoples privacy and similar. The media seems to be content with stereotyping sinpers as mentally disturbed and as the identified patient.

I did not see quality media coverage, more like the regular white-wash.

The media did not show students jumping out of windows to avoid the sniper Cho.

I do not believe any of it anyway because students and poets are generally not violent, and asians commit somewhere less than 0.3% of crimes in America.

I have come to the conclusion that there is no real point in reading or watching the news very often because there really is no in-depth coverage, and/or the media violates peoples privacy and similar.

]]> By: IonBuck http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-170193 IonBuck Sun, 22 Apr 2007 11:19:42 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-170193 I do not sympathise with the medias but I do agree with the struggles that the editor is facing with regards to what to report and when the reports become too much. I do not sympathise with the medias but I do agree with the struggles that the editor is facing with regards to what to report and when the reports become too much.

]]> By: Marc Humpert http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-169467 Marc Humpert Fri, 20 Apr 2007 17:06:51 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-169467 I'm not surprised that CBS and NBC aired the video of the shooter, since well-below-par media networks have recklessly and unprofessionally become reactive to news in the service of public sensationalism. I could clearly see that showing this video was exactly what the shooter wanted, and all of those media networks who aired it are guilty of stupidity. Which when it comes to news, the public does not deserve. The public deserves true and honest information free of the hegemony of mass media. Along those lines, it is of course expected that these media networks would hide under the veil of "providing an insight into the mind of a killer" and "giving the public the facts." But behind these cardboard phrases is pure sensationalism. The public does not consist wholly of psychologists and profilers, including myself, so people like me are not necessarily qualified to make assessments on the kind of person the killer was. If we so desire, we should do research. If the media was so concerned about providing the public with the facts, then why haven't they spearheaded a mass publishing of the shooter's writings from his classes? Fortunately media networks have stopped with the video, all because the general public is smart and willing to fight back, as we are now, against unprofessional and reckless news coverage. And I join in this fight because everyone deserves news reporting unmuddied by insatiable desires to generate a rating-promoting media sensation. I’m not surprised that CBS and NBC aired the video of the shooter, since well-below-par media networks have recklessly and unprofessionally become reactive to news in the service of public sensationalism. I could clearly see that showing this video was exactly what the shooter wanted, and all of those media networks who aired it are guilty of stupidity. Which when it comes to news, the public does not deserve. The public deserves true and honest information free of the hegemony of mass media.

Along those lines, it is of course expected that these media networks would hide under the veil of “providing an insight into the mind of a killer” and “giving the public the facts.” But behind these cardboard phrases is pure sensationalism. The public does not consist wholly of psychologists and profilers, including myself, so people like me are not necessarily qualified to make assessments on the kind of person the killer was. If we so desire, we should do research.

If the media was so concerned about providing the public with the facts, then why haven’t they spearheaded a mass publishing of the shooter’s writings from his classes? Fortunately media networks have stopped with the video, all because the general public is smart and willing to fight back, as we are now, against unprofessional and reckless news coverage. And I join in this fight because everyone deserves news reporting unmuddied by insatiable desires to generate a rating-promoting media sensation.

]]> By: Nataliya http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-169466 Nataliya Fri, 20 Apr 2007 17:02:20 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-169466 Hi, I think nbc was quite right, letting the wide audience to know what was "behind" the event, what kind of a person was the killer, as he revealed himself in these tapes. Nothing dangerous here to know and to understand that he was a mentally sick person. Hiding the information that's what might be harmful. The news broadcast was appropriate and timely as a lot of people wondered what has happened and who is responsible. And that's what the news are all about: fast, and as much as possible information. But there was one thing I was also offended: the picture of a killer on nbc10 website for sale! That was disgusting. To earn money on his picture??? To let other psycos to buy it and to convert it to a martyr! That was unacceptable! I was also stunned by the fact how it is still easy here to go and to buy guns! Why you guys are not screaming and yelling at this fact??? Why you are not angry how the system is handling the mentally sick people? That's what is obvious! You guys put the cameras on the parking lots and you don't have them in the corridors of the schools or universities. Why? After having Colombine I was sure masures like this has to be taken. Probably showing the killer on the news will push the official to take real actions in preventing these tragedies. And finally, don't put all the blame on the killer, look what caused the event alongside his sickness. This must be a final lesson to learn to prevent, before it's again too late. My deepest sympathy goes to the families who lost their loved ones. Why always the innocent are the targets? How many innocent victims have to die so that the officials will take their portion of responsibility and do everything to prevent any other psyco from doing the same? Why not to push to prohibit forever the free sale of guns? Nataliya Hi,
I think nbc was quite right, letting the wide audience to know what was “behind” the event, what kind of a person was the killer, as he revealed himself in these tapes. Nothing dangerous here to know and to understand that he was a mentally sick person. Hiding the information that’s what might be harmful. The news broadcast was appropriate and timely as a lot of people wondered what has happened and who is responsible. And that’s what the news are all about: fast, and as much as possible information. But there was one thing I was also offended: the picture of a killer on nbc10 website for sale! That was disgusting. To earn money on his picture??? To let other psycos to buy it and to convert it to a martyr! That was unacceptable! I was also stunned by the fact how it is still easy here to go and to buy guns! Why you guys are not screaming and yelling at this fact??? Why you are not angry how the system is handling the mentally sick people? That’s what is obvious! You guys put the cameras on the parking lots and you don’t have them in the corridors of the schools or universities. Why? After having Colombine I was sure masures like this has to be taken. Probably showing the killer on the news will push the official to take real actions in preventing these tragedies. And finally, don’t put all the blame on the killer, look what caused the event alongside his sickness. This must be a final lesson to learn to prevent, before it’s again too late. My deepest sympathy goes to the families who lost their loved ones. Why always the innocent are the targets? How many innocent victims have to die so that the officials will take their portion of responsibility and do everything to prevent any other psyco from doing the same? Why not to push to prohibit forever the free sale of guns?
Nataliya

]]> By: gil wisdom http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-169463 gil wisdom Fri, 20 Apr 2007 16:39:05 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-169463 it is responsible reporting to fully cover a story. too much manipulation of important facts are too often the case. the straight truth is what people need to know. those offended by what they see on their screens can change the source or turn of the set. it is responsible reporting to fully cover a story. too much manipulation of important facts are too often the case. the straight truth is what people need to know. those offended by what they see on their screens can change the source or turn of the set.

]]> By: nerakami http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-169446 nerakami Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:47:31 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-169446 We may want to stick our heads in the sand because the images and what they represent offend our sensibilities. I understand that many are in excruciating pain from the loss of loved ones and cannot bear the thought of looking at the person who inflicted this heartache. On the surface this appears to be a clear case of a mentally disturbed individual venting his rage on innocent lives and therefore, our habit is to dismiss it in our minds as an abnormality, a deviation from the norm, but in actuality this is indicative of a very complex phenomenon exemplifying the direction we are going in as a country and ultimately, a species. Our modern culture has seen an over abundance of violent TV shows & movies, violent lyrics in music, cruel and angry reality shows, portrayal of mean-ness as the ultimate form of entertainment. There is a preoccupation with body image, physical appearance, money and so on... look at us, we worship the likes of Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan whose lives are a series of partying, drugs and sex.... Our children are excessively exposed to these themes, images and messages at a very young age. Psychology 101: Children live what they learn. When the predominance of the information children receive from society is of this nature, it then becomes their sense of reality. They believe that these are the things that constitute our experience and existence as human beings. where is the over abundance of images depicting love, compassion, kindness? We are creating a generation of superficial, plastic, selfish people where the great search in life is about excess and trying to appease an inexhaustible craving for physical pleasure. Our greatest error is thinking that each thing is separate unto itself. For every action there is a reaction and everything is connected, so we are sadly misguided in thinking that what we portray in the name of entertainment does not have a tremendous impact on our children's psyche and present the foundation of their beliefs..... There is no one thing that causes an individual to reach breaking point, instead it is the culmination of everything he has ever experienced in his life and the impressions left upon his psyche, lest we forget all those children who endure physical, sexual, mental and emotional abuse. These experiences are assimilated and ultimately create a toxic fusion of energies and emotions. Children today are feeling more alienated and dis-jointed than ever, as parents are caught up in the "fight for survival" spending more time and energy at work ultimately leaving less and less time for raising their children in a balanced and harmonious manner. Whilst in the mind of the parent what they are doing is in the best interest of the child as they can provide more material things.... the truth is, a child would much rather a sincere hug and the attention of a parent than the latest barby doll or video game.... Do you not think that the 4-6 hours they spend playing bloody video games or watching television shows that depict screaming, cruel and out of control people are laying the foundation of their belief system? Needless to say, the horse is already out the gate and it will take awareness from the majority to recognize it is heading in the wrong direction. I pray that we wake up before many more are unnecessarily slaughtered by these mostly affected minds who in the midst of their darkness, are screaming for us to heed the call.... We may want to stick our heads in the sand because the images and what they represent offend our sensibilities. I understand that many are in excruciating pain from the loss of loved ones and cannot bear the thought of looking at the person who inflicted this heartache. On the surface this appears to be a clear case of a mentally disturbed individual venting his rage on innocent lives and therefore, our habit is to dismiss it in our minds as an abnormality, a deviation from the norm, but in actuality this is indicative of a very complex phenomenon exemplifying the direction we are going in as a country and ultimately, a species. Our modern culture has seen an over abundance of violent TV shows & movies, violent lyrics in music, cruel and angry reality shows, portrayal of mean-ness as the ultimate form of entertainment. There is a preoccupation with body image, physical appearance, money and so on… look at us, we worship the likes of Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan whose lives are a series of partying, drugs and sex…. Our children are excessively exposed to these themes, images and messages at a very young age. Psychology 101: Children live what they learn. When the predominance of the information children receive from society is of this nature, it then becomes their sense of reality. They believe that these are the things that constitute our experience and existence as human beings. where is the over abundance of images depicting love, compassion, kindness? We are creating a generation of superficial, plastic, selfish people where the great search in life is about excess and trying to appease an inexhaustible craving for physical pleasure. Our greatest error is thinking that each thing is separate unto itself. For every action there is a reaction and everything is connected, so we are sadly misguided in thinking that what we portray in the name of entertainment does not have a tremendous impact on our children’s psyche and present the foundation of their beliefs….. There is no one thing that causes an individual to reach breaking point, instead it is the culmination of everything he has ever experienced in his life and the impressions left upon his psyche, lest we forget all those children who endure physical, sexual, mental and emotional abuse. These experiences are assimilated and ultimately create a toxic fusion of energies and emotions. Children today are feeling more alienated and dis-jointed than ever, as parents are caught up in the “fight for survival” spending more time and energy at work ultimately leaving less and less time for raising their children in a balanced and harmonious manner. Whilst in the mind of the parent what they are doing is in the best interest of the child as they can provide more material things…. the truth is, a child would much rather a sincere hug and the attention of a parent than the latest barby doll or video game…. Do you not think that the 4-6 hours they spend playing bloody video games or watching television shows that depict screaming, cruel and out of control people are laying the foundation of their belief system? Needless to say, the horse is already out the gate and it will take awareness from the majority to recognize it is heading in the wrong direction. I pray that we wake up before many more are unnecessarily slaughtered by these mostly affected minds who in the midst of their darkness, are screaming for us to heed the call….

]]> By: Jesus Chargualaf http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-169439 Jesus Chargualaf Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:04:16 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2007/04/19/where-should-we-draw-the-line/#comment-169439 The perpetrator is gone. There is no accomplice, now dwell on the victims and those recovering from this monsters act of self-indulgence. The medical professionals can be afforded your investigations on this sick person... we frankly do not need to know more about him. The media makes a mockery of the victims, they are giving this evil person new life. The perpetrator is gone. There is no accomplice, now dwell on the victims and those recovering from this monsters act of self-indulgence. The medical professionals can be afforded your investigations on this sick person… we frankly do not need to know more about him. The media makes a mockery of the victims, they are giving this evil person new life.

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