The Media has Gone Too Far

Here is just quick sample of the mistakes I've heard reported from "sources"...

• Wrong person reported as shooter.
  
• Mother worked at the school.
  
• Father was dead.
  
• Body in the Brothers apartment.

These aren't minor details we are talking about here but some major mistakes that could only be the result of speculation. It's a long time coming but the media needs to take a long hard look at their normal procedures of trying to be the first to report something irregardless of what the truth might be.

Yeah that pretty irresponsible Richard. It's like a contest between those entities to see who is going to scoop whom regardless of accuracy. I would like to see them fined or have some sort of negative ranking system for putting out blatent falsehoods like that. Media is a powerful tool and should not be abused like this.

lsayre wrote:The MSM are primarily concerned about ratings and socio-political agenda promotion. They are not very concerned about vetting their sources. I agree with the psychologists who say matters like this need to be seriously downplayed by the national media (and I would add to this 'by the politicians' as well) in order to suppress the urges of the psychos who feed on such grandiose reporting and then at some juncture trip out and want their own week of being the headliner in the national news.

Not just MSM but Fox in the opposing direction and several others too. I think that was an accurate take by that psychologist about downplaying these events. We have glorified violence for quite a while now through movies, video games and even sports. Is this a natural product of that? It sure seems to be.

The stupid media needs to stay out of these things. They don't seem to care what they report as long as they get some ratings. They report outright lies and should be held responsible for that. I'm just sick and tired of all their crap. This idiot obviously wanted attention and to be remembered. The media gave him exactly what he wanted and some other moron will follow suit. Maybe the media should be banned for their handling of these situations. Something must be done regarding these jackass reporters.

being concerned about the "not minor details" in the initial news reporting, kinda diminishes the severity of the horrific crime. expect the media to be full of bs, especially since we just got through an election.

Agree 300% Richard. If this media is supposed to be "the last line of defense" between us and government tyranny, then we are hopelessly screwed.

This story is just ONE example of their ineptness.

Superbeetle is right - I fully expect copycat shootings the rest of the year.

The police almost got me to like them when they said they weren't going to give out a list of victims and then two hours later, they released a list of victims.

Now these poor people have to deal with these vultures circling them for the next week until something worse happens or everyone stops paying attention so their holiday won't be ruined.

When my buddy was sitting on the curb, watching his apartment building with his cat, bird and every collectible on the planet burn to the ground, this camera crew walked over and stuffed a microphone in his face. No words of sympathy - they just want "the story". Sad ....

Guys.

It seems to me that everyone is saddened by this unimaginable event and needs something or someone to vilify . The media aint it! Details in an event like this are difficult to figure out in the hours following something of this magnitude. The media is only trying to give you the viewer ,what you demand when you turn on your set....Immediate answers. Your willingness to accept such preliminary reports as fact and immediately start placing blame here or there is unfortunate. On this very site , in the hours after the shootings , many of you were outraged at the schools' lack of security measures that allowed this creep to walk right in and start killing people; inexcusable how how someone could be so careless. I never heard anyone in the media say thats what happened ; rather , it was a rush to place blame on someone to help explain the unexplainable. In fact, as I understand from media reports, he somehow broke out glass and gained entry. We will never know all the things that came to lead this kid to do what he did and gave him the ability to pull it off; it makes no difference . It seems to me that the irresponsibility of the media in reporting the facts is no worse than one's immediate acceptance of the reported events as reality and certainly less egregious than speculation based on preliminary reports ........ Im just sayin'

Waldo

jpete wrote:The police almost got me to like them when they said they weren't going to give out a list of victims and then two hours later, they released a list of victims.

I would assume that is something they can't hide even if they wanted too.

Now these poor people have to deal with these vultures circling them for the next week until something worse happens or everyone stops paying attention so their holiday won't be ruined.

The one report I heard is that each family was assigned a State Trooper, at least according to the media.

They have a job to do but the absolute lack of respect by these people is astounding, the one local reporter was trying to interview my Mother while my house was still on fire. After she told him no comment once and he continued I walked right over and told him point blank that me and him were going to be today's news if he tried to talk her again. He could of interviewed himself and asked how he was going to continue his work as a TV journalist with no teeth.

waldo lemieux wrote:Guys.

It seems to me that everyone is saddened by this unimaginable event and needs something or someone to vilify . The media aint it! Details in an event like this are difficult to figure out in the hours following something of this magnitude. The media is only trying to give you the viewer ,what you demand when you turn on your set....Immediate answers.

Not this viewer, unless there is some kind of emergency developing where they might have some specific reasons for airing unconfirmed reports they need to vet what they are airing.

waldo lemieux wrote:Guys.

It seems to me that everyone is saddened by this unimaginable event and needs something or someone to vilify . The media aint it! Details in an event like this are difficult to figure out in the hours following something of this magnitude. The media is only trying to give you the viewer ,what you demand when you turn on your set....Immediate answers. Your willingness to accept such preliminary reports as fact and immediately start placing blame here or there is unfortunate. On this very site , in the hours after the shootings , many of you were outraged at the schools' lack of security measures that allowed this creep to walk right in and start killing people; inexcusable how how someone could be so careless. I never heard anyone in the media say thats what happened ; rather , it was a rush to place blame on someone to help explain the unexplainable. In fact, as I understand from media reports, he somehow broke out glass and gained entry. We will never know all the things that came to lead this kid to do what he did and gave him the ability to pull it off; it makes no difference . It seems to me that the irresponsibility of the media in reporting the facts is no worse than one's immediate acceptance of the reported events as reality and certainly less egregious than speculation based on preliminary reports ........ Im just sayin'

Waldo

Not True.. I do not demand anything.. I don't turn on my set... granted i have set's in a house i don't stay in but there is no TV here. the un-acceptable fact that you think I (we) demand info is indeed a perfect example of the end result of the long term affect of the inherent $$$$$$ design of the venue.
I want the ACCURATE info. Logic dictates that it will take time to ascertain this. A murder trial takes forever it seems because why??? Even when the evil scum is scene shooting the nice MZ.Giffords.......Why??
Sorry i don't buy it,ANYMORE!!

I agree that you can't expect accurate information as the event is unfolding. Sometimes I wonder if they just throw out possible bogus just to keep you tuned in. Never take anything as gospel until the whole thing can be examined and well understood. Thats my opinion on that mess....

I heard several times on CNN & others that this or that could not be confirmed. As Waldo said in the first postings it went from genuine heartfelt regrets to now the Gov. & libs are gonna take my guns away all on the first page. If there were no details at all then it would have been what are they trying to hide, when something like this happens & I hope it's never again everything isn't going to be known for some time & in some cases never. Maybe it would be best to keep all media completely out of the area & then it would be suppression of our so called rights, it's a no win situation just sit back say some prayers for those involved hug your loved ones & appreciate what we have. The information will follow in time.