BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar

Subject: BS: CBC raises the bar re: VT
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 01:38 PM

It's a long time since I've had anything good to say about the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, but I was listening to a call-in show on radio today, and apparently CBC decided NOT to broadcast the presumably deranged public messages and video-performances of the VT killer. The thinking is that, along with other considerations, that would encourage other madmen to seek the same kind of publicity.

All but one caller congratulated CBC on this decision. One caller pointed out that broadcasting his message allows the killer to maintain his power ...

Heard on the news that one of the investigators in Virginia expressed disappointment that NBC had chosen to broadcast the message the killer sent to them in between his two episodes of murder.

Subject: RE: BS: CBC raises the bar
From: Greg B
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 02:55 PM

Not sure how I see this as 'raising the bar' of journalism.

Like it or not, the guy's 'manifesto' is news.

Journalists' role isn't to be the arbiter of whether or not
the killer 'deserves' the resulting attention. The fact is that
the document exists and provides insight into a phenomenon that
has affected a significant number of lives.

It seems to me that when journalists decide NOT to present the
full facts in a dispassionate manner, they are lowering, not
raising standards of journalism.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 03:18 PM

Got this quote from the CBC editor-in-chief on the Chicago Tribune site linked on another thread:

"At the (Canadian Broadcasting Company), we debated the issue throughout the evening and made the decision that we would not broadcast any video or audio of this bizarre collection....We would report the essence of what the killer was saying, but not do what he so clearly hoped all media would do. To decide otherwise -- in our view -- would be to risk copycat killings.... As I watched them last night, sickened as I'm sure most viewers were, I imagined what kind of impact this broadcast would have on similarly deranged people. In horrific but real ways, this is their 15 seconds of fame. I had this awful and sad feeling that there were parents watching these excerpts on NBC who were unaware they they will lose their children in some future copycat killing triggered by these broadcasts."... Tony Burman, editor in chief of CBC news.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: Greg B
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 03:29 PM

It is not the role of journalists to prevent 'copycat killings.'

It is their role to report the facts.

They aren't supposed to shape society. They're supposed to
document it.

The fellow is truly full of himself if he doesn't think that the
whole manifesto is going to get out there, or if he doesn't think
that the jist of what happened won't play upon the minds of
individuals of every ilk.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 03:33 PM

It's all about responsible reporting. The trouble is that a lot of people want as much information as possible.

This is the link I put on the other post.

Chicago Tribune

Sorry, I can't get it to say Chicago Tribune.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 03:34 PM

It did it - I must be tired!

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 03:34 PM

I'm sure he knows full well it's "going to get out there" - but he doesn't want to be the one putting it out there, on a mainstream newscast. News editors constantly decide what they'll put out there and what they won't; it's their job.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 05:54 PM

What I can't understand is that if the tapes were sent to the NBC and then passed on to the FBI why were they given back so that they could be broadcast? I may have got this wrong but that's what I think happened.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 07:31 PM

That's a good question. Would NBC have copied them before handing them over? Anyone have the answer?

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 08:07 PM

The idea that there is a right and duty to report facts whether or not in the public interest is particularly American. The "right to know" (itself an illusion) ought properly to be subject to proper countervailing needs. Those outside the USA often find the tasteless antics of US reporters absolutely anathema.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: Peace
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 08:08 PM

"That's a good question. Would NBC have copied them before handing them over? Anyone have the answer? "

Tell me this: Would anyone in his or her right mind give ANYthing to the FBI without keeping a copy?

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 02:47 PM

I applaud the CBC. I for one do not wish to be informed beyond all reason. I know there are car accidents, I don't need to see bodies. I know that the events in Virginia were horrible and must be considered something more than "News". Some broadcasters, Fox come instantly to mind" , Will show anything on telly because there is always a misguided group who believes in the "right to know". We'll want televised executions next. And those who think that is what a free press must do, will watch them.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 03:22 PM

Fox may have redeemed themselves here, I'm sure our UK news said that they hadn't broadcast the tapes.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 09:55 PM

Reporting the news consists in telling what happened, when, and where.

Journalism consists in interpreting what happened, and perhaps may include speculating why and how, with the purpose of helping people understand it.

Re-creating a scenario by broadcasting and/or re-broadcasting "the actual events" borders on pandering, inciting, gloating, and numerous other unfavorable (to many of us) activities, and generally implies a link to the attitude of "anything to draw in the lowest denominator among listeners/readers/viewers." We generally lump it all under the generic name of "advertising" and/or "publicity."

Unfortunately, many in "the industry" would consider a report of a highway accident incomplete without pictures of the dead, and perhaps pulling open a few of the wounds on the injured to make sure there's enough blood and gore for "good pictures."

We have, unfortunately, one local TV newsperson who considers no report "effective" unless she can show someone crying; and has no hesitation in badgering innocents to get "her effect." It will be real news someday when someone punches her out properly and appropriately - but they probably won't show that news item.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 06:36 AM

Yeah John, you are right.

Maybe that's what our Greg gets off on.

Greg, rearrange the following into a well known phrase

information-----much-----too

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: robomatic
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 12:42 AM

Posted as I am just across the border from Canada I've had the extreme pleasure of listening to CBC through Saturday morning. Just wonderful radio, full of personality and intelligence and humor. Especially liked "And Sometimes Y" which attempted to tell the history of the English language in 28 minutes.

Great Stuff.

CBC is one big reason I love Canada.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 11:02 PM

I do like "And Sometimes Y". As for Brent Banberry's show ... well, it doesn't do much for me ...

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 11:17 PM

Our US media are not alone when it comes to antics. I've seen footage of the press at work in the UK and in Europe that is nothing short of appalling.

Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Broadcasting Corp. raises the bar
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Apr 07 - 06:11 AM

Those outside the USA often find the tasteless antics of US reporters absolutely anathema. That may be true of many civilised countries - but it'd be a judgement that would be just as relevant to British tabloid journalism.

As for this issue I think there is a big distinction between reporting facts and giving a direct voice to the killer. I might be inclined to apply that to the big public killers like Bush and Blair as well to the private ones, but maybe there'd be other considerations involved there as well.

The idea that all someone needs to do to get their voice and their message splashed all over the media is kill a random bunch of people seems rather suspect to me.