May 2, 2007

I'm among readers who feel overloaded by Virginia Tech coverage, but nearly 90 percent of our letters to the editor this week responded to last week's Inside MSN column exploring MSN's response to the shootings.

The purpose of this forum is to present a representative sampling of the feedback. Secondary response to the column, which featured criticism of MSNBC and MSN's coverage, was more supportive, but some broader issues come forth.

Beyond media saturation, the Blacksburg shootings sparked letters on race, mental illness, gun control, historical comparisons, community passivity and a free press vs. a balanced one. We're presenting a sampling of them here.

Additionally, Linda, of Troy, Ohio, wrote, "Responsible journalism is probably a lot more difficult than it looks" and urges MSN editors to "let comments from the public help you decide."

I can say that we are listening to your comments and we particularly welcome your input on topics, broad and narrow, beyond the Virginia Tech tragedy.

The right decision: I am shocked at all the comments about how wrong it is to post the picture of the VT killer on MSN's Web site. When the news broke, all everyone was saying is "who could do something like this?" The public wanted to see Cho and the media delivered. Then all of a sudden everyone decided to become self righteous and declare showing his face was wrong, along with a million other things that happened on that day. This was a senseless crime, but understanding the person behind these crimes is just as important as honoring the victims. We can't just ignore his actions, mental state, background, or even his face. The fact of the matter is nothing can change that this tragedy happened, but we can certainly stop putting blame on every little thing that went wrong and try to learn from the situation so we can prevent it from happening again. — Melissa, Hershey, Pa.

Trying to avoid the pain: I live near Columbine and had just been to visit the cemetery where there is a Columbine memorial the day before the shooting at Virginia Tech. Then to see this story happening all over again, it was too much for me. I avoided the news as much as I could for a week — local and national TV, Web sites and newspapers. Just seeing brief images brought back the pain of Columbine. I know you have to cover these major stories but I also want you to know that people are avoiding news because of this overwhelming bombardment of images. I am a political news junkie, and I boycotted the news for a week! — Carol, Centennial, Colo.

A theory behind Cho's manifesto: I am a mental health counselor and became focused on words Cho used in mentioning his children and brothers and sisters. This reference could be to younger people he has communicated with by Internet as well as adults who agree with him on his thoughts and opinions. Although Cho did not talk out loud very much — he was communicating over the Internet — that is where he got strength and support. Perhaps he had even communicated with the Columbine killers since they were on the Internet a lot prior to that tragedy. Hopefully, FBI investigators are pouring over the computer data to reference who Cho communicated with in order to try to intervene and prevent an epidemic of tragedies such as this. May God help the parents to stop this kind of behavior early in life through paying more attention to their children! – Carolyn, Corbin, Ky.

I support your decision: I am a college senior so when I heard about what happened of course I was worried and confused. I found out what happened when my friend's mother called while we were eating lunch in the cafeteria. Our first thought was, "Why would he do this, and what was going through his mind? He must have had a lot on his plate." The biggest question we wanted answered: Why? I saw the "manifesto" and even though it didn't answer all of my questions, I now have a better view of what was going on in his head, and it help put my worries to rest. So thank you for trying to answer not only my question but the questions of millions of Americans. – Dania, Charlotte, N.C.

Sporting approach: How is it that even the sports media knows enough not show people fighting, running on the field or streaking at sporting events, to discourage similar future acts, and the news media does not? It should be enough to use the boy's name and description. It would, I believe, discourage the distorted vision of glory. – Russ, York, Maine

Flaws: From the letters I've read so far, I'm probably in the minority, but I don't think MSN — or any network — made a "hero" out of Seung-Hui Cho. As disturbing as his videos, photos, and writings are, they are part of the news and have been treated as such. I think the media used the videos, writings, and photos to try to explain why this tragic event occurred, not to glorify a killer. The items sent to NBC can be seen as proof of what ill-prepared security and emergency information systems; inadequate or non-existent mental health care; and loopholes in our current gun-control laws can lead up to. Since he'd been planning this attack for months — if not years — Cho knew that if he were involuntarily committed to a psychiatric care facility  he wouldn't be allowed to purchase a weapon in Virginia but, if he voluntarily committed himself, he'd still be able to purchase a weapon. So that's what he did! A small loophole with horrific consequences. – Linda, Hackettstown, N.J.

Honoring the dead: While the VT shooting was terrible, what about the people who die in Iraq every single day? Many of our soldiers were the same age as these VT students when they were killed in combat. And what about the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi deaths? In Iraq, 33 people dying is a normal, if not a good day. — Trevor, Seattle

Wake up and get real: What would you have the media do here? Cover the story up? Not report the NEWS? Do the photos really make the impact less horrible? I lived two blocks from Columbine and watched, in horror, as kids crawled bleeding from windows. We endured months of Eric and Dylan bios, which was indeed painful. But pain does not equal wrong! Pain is part of healing and understanding. You cannot simply turn a blind eye to what happened and not seeing the photos doesn't make it go away for anyone. If you don't like the photographs, don't look! — Warren, Littleton, Colo.

Grace under pressure: The media should take its cue from the students at Virginia Tech who were well-mannered, mature, and spoke exceedingly well. I am very proud of the way the students interviewed conducted themselves and am still appalled at the insensitivity of the media. – Ann, Pittsburgh

Codifying coverage? It seems that we should have a code which we follow for coverage of crimes. The rule could be that each victim (or each victim's family) gets the same amount of coverage as the criminal. That would greatly reduce the "fame" that mass murderers get. It would help all of us better understand the evil of the act. It would not "sell newspapers" or prevent yellow journalism but, if it were an accepted practice, the reputable media companies would compete on an equal basis. — Noel, Santa Fe, N.M.

Carrying arms, perspective 1: If just one student or teacher with a legal carry permit, had a gun (banned by the school) they might have stopped the killer after the first shot. The liberals say that an honest, law-abiding citizen does not need a gun, as the police will protect us. — Garnett, Valley Grande, Ala.

Carrying arms, perspective 2: I would like to address a statement to those who keep saying that if guns were allowed on the campus of Virginia Tech then the killer would have been shot much earlier, possibly before killing so many innocent students. While this statement may be true, over the course of a year, just as many lives would be lost to gun violence as happened in this one incident. College kids drink, party, and fight. I have never heard of a college whose students didn't. By placing a gun in the hands of a drunken college student, just as many lives would be lost. – Erika, Cincinnati

Historical comparison of coverage: I was deeply saddened by this tragedy, more than I was when JFK was murdered in 1963. I was 11 at the time, and I remember his smiling face, this nice man, the president, who seemed like an uncle of mine. Then he was gone. I made a scrapbook in tribute and never forgot him. The smiling faces of the students and teachers at Virginia Tech brought that back to me and I feel crushed by it. The gravity of some many successful, bright, promising people taken diminishes all of us. To me they are NOT victims but heroes. Their lives were exemplary. JFK is still my hero, too. He was a great president, like Lincoln, more than just the victim of an assassin's bullet. Let's remember those at Virginia Tech the same. – Alyn, Lackawanna, N.Y.

A victim's perspective: I was a victim of a violent crime involving a disgruntled ex-employee coming back and shooting through windows from a parking lot across the street. He used a high-powered rifle — the kind to kill elk. It has disrupted my life for the past 14 years and, from a victim's perspective, I feel it is important for people to see and hear what these perpetrators are all about and maybe some things can be learned from it. I feel that the majority of people are in denial and would rather not know, but it is REALITY. – Dixie, Los Angeles

Seeking an alternative: I realize that I, like most of America and the world, watched with great sorrow the tragedy that unfolded at Virginia Tech. After a day or so I could not handle any more sadness or violence so I began to "channel surf." I was looking for something light, something that I could "escape" VT just for a little while. Guess what? Every channel was "CSI," "The Unit," "Law and Order," "NCIS," "Cold Case" …  you get the picture. Even Lifetime's shows were based on recent violent acts. I can't help but wonder how much of this "entertainment" influences/affects the viewers who are not of sound mind or our young people? Thank God for "American Idol" and "Dancing with the Stars"! – Robin, Richmond, Va.

Preventative measures? I watch a lot of news on TV. Daily, I check MSN and CTV for happenings around the world. Yes, you have to keep the public informed; yes, the pictures were creepy, but the whole time I was watching or reading about this event I thought: Let's do something to prevent these school shootings from happening. Let's offer a phone number, an e-mail address that a person in this state of mind might be tempted to call to get help .Maybe a number or e-mail address where maybe another student or teacher knows someone who needs mental help can contact. Wouldn't it be nice if someone could air a way to help people, maybe prevent even one shooting? I really think people just don't know who to contact. There is not doubt that many people knew the killer was very troubled and they did not have the proper tools to do something about it. Maybe a commercial offering help during prime time. – Janet, Ontario

Honoring the fallen: I just wish you could have provided an in-depth report on the brilliant minds that were murdered instead on focusing on the one mind of a killer. Those students and faculty were so beautiful and had so much to offer society. But I understand the media. It's all about ratings. They could not wait to put the pictures and video of the killer on TV. The only good thing is that by killing himself, we taxpayers do not to use our tax money for a trial. I could care less about the killer. He was nothing. – Elizabeth, Norfolk, Va.

Wrong choice, NBC: I have been a long supporter of all of the various NBC news programming. But after the recent coverage and exploitation of the students at Virginia Tech, I no longer hold a high opinion of any of NBC news outlets. From the release of the tapes, pictures and letters (giving the killer the attention that he wanted), to filming the reaction of Virginia Tech students. NBC crossed the line from covering the news to making the news. As a Hokie alumnus, I am highly disappointed that NBC could spend a week at Virginia Tech and not learn from the eight pillars that form the basis of every student in Blacksburg: Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty, Duty, and Ut Prosim. – Scott, Burke, Va.

Feeding the monster: First, let me start off by saying I support freedom of speech and the rights of the media to speak freely without government intervention. That is a right in this country that should not be infringed upon. I do feel, however, that (and I am no psychologist) the problem with showing the video and giving him his 15 minutes of fame is that it is an inspiration to other people of the same psychological profile. They see this as a way to get instant notoriety and revenge on the general population by committing such an act. They become heroes to others with the same issues/problems as themselves. The media is feeding this monster and will cause others to want to seek the same fame. You are as much to blame as the weapons that were used. You are being two-faced to attack the weapons used without pointing a finger at yourself first. Where there is a will there is a way: 168 people were killed with agricultural products and a Ryder in Oklahoma City; 2,749 with two jets in New York. – Geoff, Abbeville, S.C.