April 17, 2007
Networks Scour Facebook
The broadcast networks are notorious for wanting the big "get" -- the interview that defines a news story. And in the case of the Virginia Tech story, two nets are going online in search of the "get," posting interview requests to Facebook:
From a posting by ABC's "GMA": "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the horrific tragedy at Virginia Tech. In our ongoing coverage, we want to speak with people that knew Cho Seung-Hui. We have anchors and producers on campus that would love to meet with you."
From a posting by NBC's "Dateline": "We understand how difficult this is, and want to help share your story. 'Dateline' NBC urgently looking for anyone who knew Seung Hui Cho. We have produces and camera crews nearby ready to talk to anyone who can supply information about him and his movements leading up to the tragedy. We are attempting to produce a thoughtful and informative report that might shed some light on the tragedy and possibly help prevent something like this from happening again." [EMILY GOODIN]
Posted at 12:33 PM
Comments
I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.
james | 04.17.07 02:03 PM
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maggots. feasting off the misery and horror of the families and friends of the victims. the cable and network behavior during these events are reaching a level of exploitation and depravity that rivals the killings. they will only truly be in ratings nirvana when live executions are broadcast -- with appropriate advertisers, natch...
linda | 04.17.07 02:38 PM
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Our own voracious apetite for sensationalism is upon us ready to devour our last ounces of moral fiber.
zelmo | 04.17.07 02:51 PM
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On the flip side, Facebook has been used to allow thousands of parents, friends, and colleagues to find out about the status of the students and faculty at Virginia Tech. Students at Virginia Tech could post their status on their profile, and instantly let anyone know they are safe. Not only that, but Facebook has allowed a common place for an outpouring of support across the country. Within hours of the attack students had posted hundreds of pictures with the Virginia Tech emblem side by side with their own school's emblems in a show of support. While facebook has allowed the sensationalist media a place to exploit this tragedy, it has also allowed students to come together and mourn, show support for Virginia Tech students, and find out if their friend or family member was ok.
Tyler | 04.17.07 03:38 PM
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With typical hysteria, the media misinforms the readers once again. Their "Chinese student here on a visa" is actually a green-card carrying resident here from Korea since he was 8. All, and I mean every single cable and network channel, began immediately throwing darts at the college president, the security guards, and whomever else they could think of. Why do we need to do this in this country? Why is it that whatever tragic event happens, the very first thing is to look about for someone to blame it on. I don't know if the country can survive with that kind of mentality.
bio mom | 04.17.07 04:22 PM
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Maybe it sounds sick, but no one is going to turn off Nightline when they see it on TV with that guy's friends. We all want to see it, so we're really just as guilty.
Mike | 04.17.07 11:50 PM
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Can you really blame the press for giving America what it will pay money to read?
L Ron | 04.18.07 12:34 PM
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The media keeps saying that the audience wants the sensationalism but I find this increasingly difficult to believe. The media really needs to begin recognizing that they are the source of the sensationalism and they need to believe that it is the audience asking for it. Most of us are weary of this kind of bad behavior on the part of the media. It's not professional and it's not information. It's a badly framed attempt to capture attention.
Jill | 04.18.07 02:50 PM
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This was by any measure a major story. I watched intensely whenever I could or read online. But after seeing an endless loop on TV tonight of the video and photos Seung Hui Cho sent to NBC News, I had had enough. I turned my TV off. Others maybe turned theirs off long before I did and others may keep watching. Each of us gets to consume as much or as little of this coverage as we choose. The TV networks will take note and adjust supply to demand as they would with any other story.
Robert in California | 04.19.07 12:31 AM
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