Not flashing the pictures and names of these psychos would go a long way towards

[TPaine7]

taking away the incentive to mass murder.

Maybe not for this character, but for many.

All it would take is one major media giant leading the way; others would follow. We should contact CNN, MSNBC and even Fox. Frankly, I don't care who the first player is to take this stand.

Edited to add: recommend and bump this post if you think it can help. This is beyond politics, it's a practical way we can actually DO something besides complaining and opining, and it COULD get results fast if it goes viral.

Contact links

View profile
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10285339/
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,74857,00.html

[NeedleCast]

1. Yup

And a 24-7-365 media that loves tragedy feasts off this stuff.

[jberryhill]

2. Strongly agree

It is the quick route to fame for nobodies.

[fleur-de-lisa]

3. K & R

[TPaine7]

4. Contact links

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10285339/
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,74857,00.html

[TPaine7]

5. Just contacted all three.

I really hope people aren't avoiding getting on-board because their politics trumps any good this action can lead to.

[TPaine7]

6. Bump.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

7. The reason that is given is due to...

The public demanding to know. They want to know who did this in there town. It is an old argument in many newsrooms ( well, was till the Sales Dept. got in) to let out or not, and then what is the consequence of doing or not doing it.. It was done in a way, once upon at time, to not make him a hero.
But then there was Jack the Ripper that started a lot of the problem. Yes, it has been going on that long.


It is such a double edge sward. That is why it was such a heavy responsibility to be a editor/producer in chief. What is the publics right to know? What is something that may really hurt? Now, with the darn Sales Department, those decisions on what is right, are going out the window.

Believe me, tonight there are many a glass of whiskey will be drank in many a newsroom tonight. Many an old school journalist is draining that glass over the way things are.

[TPaine7]

8. I hear you, and since the nightly news is a business as opposed to a public service from those we

allow to use the public airwaves, the question of money always is at issue.

Two points:

1) The public will almost always be able to find the information by rooting around on the internet. As a matter of fact, CNN, MSNBC and Fox could all post it on remote back pages somewhere for those who truly must know the criminal's name.

2) This can't be mandated due to the First Amendment, but I bet the first big player to do it would win lots of goodwill. That should be worth some money, but it will be hard to show it on the ledger.

Believe me, tonight there are many a glass of whiskey will be drank in many a newsroom tonight. Many an old school journalist is draining that glass over the way things are.

I hope you're right. Even more, I hope some very powerful executive is looking for a principled way to set his company apart and show leadership.

[CraftyGal]

9. Anderson Cooper is not repeatedly using the shooter's name.

Good on him.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

10. He is one that still believes in the old school.

Report but don't make the bad guy look good.