Dear Media,

Congratulations; you've out done yourself. In a time when the world is at war against an ememy that believes suicide and the mass killing of innocents is one of the most glorious acts of self sacrifice, you've found a way to capitalize locally. One of the sickest and saddest events in our country, and you've taken the opportunity to help a murderer accomplish his mission by plastering his picture and manifesto everywhere. I wonder how much NBC made by selling these images to other networks eagerly grasping for coat tails? You may not be an accomplice to this crime, but by giving the sick and twisted a platform and their own version of American Idol, you should be held accountable in the future. Every form of media is covered with the picture and the number of lives he's taken. Thats good for your business though, isn't it? You claim to have carefully weighed the decision to share the images; but obviously this wasn't on a moral scale, nor common sense. Sadly, the only scale I can see that would support this decision would be a finacial scale. The next time you recieve a package like this, I hope you realize that it was your actions that glorified this atrocity; and that no matter how twisted, you'd gladly share their message if the body count sells. He wasn't the news, he was a sick and troubled person who's incoherent (in your words) ramblings offered nothing to the masses, and more pain to those already suffering. You've provided other attention seekers hope, that if enough people die, they too can be heard by everyone. I hope at that time, you will be judged as an accomplice, because thats exactly where you've placed yourself.

The media have done a good job of telling us to Be Afraid, Be Ashamed and Give Up. Let's see ..... day before yesterday was the Virginia Massacre, yesterday was the Oklahoma City Bombing anniversary, today is the Columbine Murder Spree celebration -- and the Fuhrer's birthday. Sometimes I wonder who actually won World War II. But I never doubt which side you guys are on.

I don't blame NBC. I think they were placed in a "damned if we do, damned if we don't" position. They would have received flak with either decision. If they hadn't aired it, there would have been calls for them to release it. NBC didn't ask for this; it fell into their proverbial lap. I think they handled it pretty well and more restrained than I thought they would have - knowing they had a great exclusive to this story. I'm also glad they realized that it had lost it's breaking news factor by the next morning and didn't keep re-airing it for days and days like we all had to sit through during 9/11. I can't tell you how many 100's of times I saw the instant replay of the plane hitting the 2nd tower. It got old after the first day. So, NBC keep this in mind the next time something horrible like this happens, if you continue to take the high road, you'll retain our collective respect.

I agree...the initial shock, being over, and the reality that lifes goes on makes it seem like the story is over...but it's not...it continues and will reverberate every day...we are forever changed by this...anyone, who has a child will not only worry about the potential violence in their local schools, but there is now the added worry about what happens after...when their child has safely left the nest to pursue their dream...the danger will always be there, as will the risk...as will the hope that there is more good than evil...that our children will be subject to that good only...so let us remember ... let us remember Virginia Tech, Columbine, Sep. 11, etc...but let us remember only the good from those times, the beautiful lives and memories of those we loved and lost, the unselfish heroes who gave of themselves tirelessly for others -especially those who sacrificed their own lives ...
the biggest gift we can give to these beautiful, amazing souls who left us in such an untimely way is not to focus on, give glory or false and undeserved martyrdom to the madnesss that caused it ... let us only, and I mean only focus on, give glory to and bestow eternal martyrdom onto those who truly deserve it... let us remember only the beautiful lives of those we loved and lost and cherish those memories only...create a legacy of lifelong importance and attention to those memories only ... that is the way to conquer this madness... to remove, even in death, the twisted attention that these evil beings crave... let us give our attention to and cherish only, the fallen angels... forever in our hearts and minds...forever...angels...

Bravo Greg. Well said.

Greg, I could not have said it better. You captured my thoughts and feelings, thank you.

Yes, it is time to leave.
Let VT rest and recover.
At least until the made for TV movie comes out.

It’s like going past a car wreck and swearing that you’re not going to tap the brakes no matter how much you’re tempted. Just keep driving, don’t rubber neck, don’t look. But undoubtedly given the smallest of opportunities, we gawk.
It is also a sad state of affairs that the grieving process sometimes can’t be private. Cameras shoved into the faces of those still stunned having heard that a loved one was caught up in this terrible tragedy. Searches happen at all costs, for those connected in any way with victims. What was the last word, did you get an opportunity to say good bye, what was your reaction when you first heard the news. Enough, my God, people are hurting to the degree that is not experienced by the others of us on a daily basis. Sometimes hurting to a point that they are not responsible for what they’re saying at times.
NBC was in the position of having received what would have been some of the most sought after pieces of journalistic information in our nation’s history. But they choose to make it public knowledge. I read that the decision was partly based on giving a clue into the mind of the killer. I am so happy to say that after what I’ve seen and heard, I know absolutely no more about the intricate workings of the killer than I did prior to this awful event.
It is painfully clear that the motivation factor behind NBC’s move was money. I wonder just how much was made. NBC, would you mind sharing that figure with us, did you sell the information to other news sources, did your ratings soar and increase your bottom line, and will you share that money with the family of victims?
This morning Mat Lauer was interviewing the .com organization that posted Mr. Baldwin’s highly animated telephone conversation. The most logical question to me that Mr. Lauer might have asked was why? Why did you post this information, what good did it serve, how does it help the public to know this? One could almost sense the question just behind the surface of his lips, but it went unasked. Why, because I’m sure the interviewee would have turned that around, quicker than our next heartbeat and say the same reason NBC choose to go public with the killer’s information.
Maybe that’s the key. Maybe the news media should start turning on their own. Every time a news casters, news executive’s, news senior vice president’s family member passes, show up with a film crew and jam cameras in everyone’s face while the pain is raw. Dig to find that ugly information hidden away behind locked doors and put it on public display.
I’m sickened and saddened that NBC made the choice they did to air this information. It gives every nut in America on the brink of snapping a renewed sense that their story will be told. As well, it causes almost all of us to, although try as hard as we might to keep going, to tap the brakes and gawk.

A question to Greg and Jim. What is your alternative? Should we censor the news? Who will decide what gets censored and what doesn't? And is that really a decision that you want someone else making for you? I prefer the current system, which is to present all the information available, and then I can make my own decision. Or else I can simply choose not to watch. It's futile to try to remove every possible stimulus that would cause a mentally ill person to act inappropriately. There will always be something, be it books, or movies, or the internet, or the network news. This is assuming there even WAS a reason for what he did. Some people are simply just mentally ill.

While corporations clearly exist to make money, they are also run by human beings - human beings with a common interest in living in peace and safety. If there is one thing these mass murderers have in common it's the quest for fame. Every time that person's face is shown, every time his name is uttered, both we and the press are giving him exactly what he wanted - fame. Many more will follow in his footsteps. Worse, they will try to top his "achievements." Go ahead and tell the story, but erase his face and never utter his name; that is how you can report the truth, we can grieve together, yet we all stop the delusional fantasies of other would-be famous murderers.

I think the media overstayed their welcome but I understand why they were there in the first place. Aside from competitive issues, of course, there is a genuine news angle. I just hate to see emotional pressure be placed on people already rendered fragile just to get a reaction. That is inherently coercive.

Having been a Volunteer Fire Man and Emergency Medical Technician and having a family member on this campus, the prospective I have of the reporting of this tragic event leaves a lot to be desired. The concentration of coverage on the angry young man and his rantings only fuel those other unbalanced young men looking for a leader or someone to look up to copy his example. We did not need to see it on every media web site or news report. Better DISCRETION should have been used.

The brave men and women who responded from all walks of life really have not received the recognition they deserve.

This incident is truly another wakeup call to all Americans. It is a wakeup for us to appreciate the loved ones we have who can be gone from us at any time. It is a wake up for us to appreciate our freedoms, but not to the point of giving disturbed people access to weapons. It is a wake up for Americans to get involved in firearm issues with criminals. It is a wake up for each person to be prepared to meet their Maker and be accountable for the life they've lived as a doer or a watcher. It is a wake up for all of us as Americans to be strong in our Christian faith which made this country and got us our freedom before we were even born. Our faith that is based upon the love Christ has for all peoples, and not based on killing other religions who don't believe as we do. This is a love of kindness and forgiveness and a love of doing right things in country and self. I was shaken by all of this, but equally more shaken by hearing about the professor who was a holocaust survivor who held the door so others could escape. Could it be this saint was spared in his holocaust days for this day in which he gave his life to save others. Is this a typical American. Are Americans filled with sacrificial love, like the love of our early founders. We all have compassion for this tragedy. We hurt each time is is blasted on the news on tv. Are we all suffering for the losses of our young people in the armed services in Iraq and Afghanistan as well? A young life snuffed out by hate is always a tragedy whether in war or at home. We should always think long and hard as to what we can learn about something so cruel and unjust. My son was in Iraq for a year. At times I wondered if anyone cared or appreciated his efforts. Are the 3,285 current deaths in the wars appreciated AND remember. I know Americans cared, but it wasn't vocal. It is my daily prayer that Americans start vocalizing like days of old. Days of protesting the wars seem no more. It's time we stood up for all our problems. We need to DO things. We need to do more than just argue like our politicians and get nothing accomplished as they show us daily. Protesting an irresponsible gov't should stir the soul of us all. A constantly arguing two party system they has all of our heads shaking as to why we are the way we are. Americans need to speak up for the safety of our long-term existence and our need for preparedness for attack from HATE. This hate can be in so many forms(individuals, countries, terrorists..) America was founded on the strength of faithful and brave people who were not in to building a country for self-gain. So many have died for our freedom, yet we abuse that freedom all the time. We watch daily as our country is overrun by evil and corrupt people. I long for those kind of heroes who stood up against this years ago. I am ashamed of what we've become, but I gain heart when I see us come together in tragedy. Let's come together for our VT fallen. Let's come together for our war fallen. Let's stand up for our right as a Christian nation and be silent no more. There are many things in this world which do not have to happen, but we let them anyway. Let's be proud of our country and not apathetic. Let's be proud to protect it and to serve it. Be as proud of it as I am. I honor our VT fallen, our war fallen, our war heroes, and my special hero, my Army Guardsman in Iraq..my son Andrew.

I do think that it is time for the media to leave and let us recover from this tragedy the best that we can. It makes it difficult to mourn or even get around campus with so many news crews here. I think it adds a cheese factor to anything we do to morn here. It's an element that you can't pick up on while watching it on TV, but it's just weird to be in front of a memorial trying to grieve and having a camera man next to you trying to get the just right angle on some flowers that someone has placed. But, don't get me wrong, I am glad that they were here to give us information in the beginning stages, before everything had come out. All of the news that we had in the first few hours was from the media and without them most of us on campus would not have known what exactly was going on, so thank you for that.

To the folks at NBC,

I'm a former journalist and friend of one of the victims. My sister lost 7 friends in this mess, but I WILL NOT give you her to go after as I'm unsure how she's coping with this all at times.

On one hand, we are trained to push for the story. I get that. I just don't condone it in this situation. I'm a free speech liberal, and I CAN'T condone it right now.

I can't because those people who died are my people. I can't because he wanted to be plastered all over TV as you so eloquently accomplished, "heavy editorial decisions or not." You helped him hurt thousands more, and the direct victims again by your need to capitalize on "the scoop."

If prominent national newspapers can make a decision NOT to run political cartoons of Allah in order to avoid offending the Muslim community, how can you honestly in good conscience run those tapes, show that disturbed individual toting guns and showing off for the camera, and then claim that it gave you "profound insight into who the killer was."

The investigators got NOTHING from this, other than the confirmation of what they, and you, already new. Was it so necessary for your division to run this?

I've in the past really respected your work in news, and I loved much of your investigative reporting that helped people. But this week, you crossed a line in what I know was a tough decision to be made. However, you chose poorly, and I refuse to acknowledge your practice of journalism as my source of news any longer.

You people should be ashamed of your sense of "journalistic ethics." I'm ashamed to call myself a journalist right now.

To EVERYONE affected, I'm so sorry, in my loss, I also pray for the comfort I hope is given to all of you suffering with losses as well.

I completely agree with Casey! If NBC would not have aired the videos and pictures the everyone would be upset and complaining. I think they did an excellent job on keeping us informed. I attend a University and I know I was following the story like crazy. I want to know what to what I should be cautious about if I ever meet anyone like this. I think they covered the story very well and realized when it was their time to leave it alone. GOOD JOB!!!

The killer is not enjoying his infamy. He is dead and burning in hell.
If we can learn something from his actions or writings to help us spot other psychos, we should do so.

Bravo Greg? No shame on you, this is a story that needs to be told. Every angle and every facet of this story needs to be explained. Only then can we begin to understand what type of world we live in. We live in a time where people are in pain, are suffering and feel like they don’t belong or they are an unknown. No one pays attention to them, so they feel like they have to do something to handle all the rage they are feeling and they loose all sense of reality. They don’t know how to get help or even realize that they need help. So they do the only thing they know how, and that is to strike out at the one thing that is causing them their pain, either it be co-workers, students, or society as a whole. They are like a cornered animal, and then we have another horrible tragedy on our hands. Hopefully with the complete showing of this story we can prevent it from happening again. Maybe somebody watching this notices the same signs and symptoms in a student or co-worker and is brave enough to try to get that person the help that they need so they don’t go off the deep end and commit another crime like this. Life is not easy, life is hard and looking at life through rose colored glasses and wishing it was perfect and that we could all just get along is a pipe dream. Only with making the hard choices and facing the tough problems head on will we make a difference. Or, if you are still disenfranchised about the whole thing and don’t want to see the pictures or hear about what he was saying then use the remote control and change the channel. You do have the power of choice, so use it instead of taking the easy road and bitching about something and not doing anything about it. Take a stand and do what you think is right. For you could not have been too turned off by the story, for you had to make the choice to go to MSNBC’s web page and read about the story. Then take the time to write up your reply, and in doing so giving MSNBC what they wanted. That being people reading their story and replying to it, for there is no such thing as bad press.

I'm sorry, but I disagree with Greg. In my opinion, NBC has reported this incident fairly and with respect to the victims and their families. Aren't we all asking ourselves "Why" and "How could this happen?" NBC attempted to answer that for us by giving us a glimpse into the sick, twisted mind of this murderer. They aired just enough to show us that this was a sensless massacre. The work of a madman that could not and would not face his demons. They did not capitalize on it. They did not imortalize him. They did not sensationalize this sick, twisted man. They reported the facts. The other networks continue to sensationalize.

Ditto, Greg. There is no shame in the media. They alsways spew the same crap of "weighing the decision to air or not" when the real motivation and weighing takes place on the cash register without regard to victim's families. What a bunch of hypocritical, insensitive, snobs you media types are. Shame on all of you.

Dear NBC:

We all know you have a job to do. Your job has grabbed my attention for many years. I am a self-professed "news-junkie" who can click and watch snippets of 6 channels in 90 seconds.

I feel I need to know. When you aired the tapes from the manifesto - this I DID NOT need to know or see or hear. But my addiction kept me from clicking the 'off' button. For one day only. I am done with anything that gives any voice or attention to the shooter. The Virginia Tech Hokie Nation has asked you guys to head for home. Yes, it is time for you guys to pack up and leave the folks in Blacksburg to their own peace of mind and to take care of each other...sans cameras.

I agree whole heartedly Greg! NBC wanted ratings. NBC should have simply informed the public they had recieved the package and that at this time when the dead are not buried and properly mourned it would be inappropriate to give the killer a platform. We at NBC will revisit this situation after all have been properly laid to rest...oh you could have done the right thing, and it would have been nice!

I'm not upset that the manifesto was shown on the news. Ultimately it would have gotten out one way or another (whether it be by a respectable source or through the internet/tabloids, etc). You might as well show it, get it over with, and allow VT to get on with their grieving process. I went to high school 2 miles from Columbine and was in class the day that it happened. That whole process was drawn out for entirely too long. I think that it hindered the families and friends from being able to actually grieve and go through the necessary steps. With everything on the table now, VT can move on. I applaud your efforts on leaving the scene. The story is done. This doesn't mean that I don't feel for the affected, but leave them be. They don't need the press to grieve for their lost.

I want to say how sorry I am for all the victims at VT. I agree it is time for the media to let this go and not keep dwelling over and over. It is not just the news but every talk show host from Oprah to Dr Phil has had progams about this on tv. There has been to touch much media coverage, but again this is the way everything is handled from Anna Nicole to Imus no one ever seems to know when enough is enough. I think NCB handled the material they received as well as it could be done. Maybe it should not have been aired, but somehow people have go to get their head out of the sand and realize that somehow this young child grew up to be this killer and somehow society was involved in what he became. People noticed his behavior and some made efforts to reach out, but this was probably too little way to late. This young man had to have had these signs when he was in high school, why did no one ever try to help him then when it might have made a difference. How can a university like VT have a student who goes to classes and never speaks, does not write his name but uses a ?, seems to be so defiant and keep him enrolled as a student? Someone in this type of defiance could not have been doing everything required to maintain college courses.
I agree it might have been looked at as giving into the gunman for NBC to air the information, but somehow no matter how detestable his crime someone has to remember he was a person and he had a family. Something happened to turn a young boy into this 'killer' with so much pain. And while all of our sympathy goes out to the victims in this awful act of violence, somehow if seeing this young man's pain and anger reaches one person who knows someone who may be displaying the same symtoms maybe the airing of this information may be worth it all. Somehow, this young man had lost touch with life and in doing so he became a monster to us but I am sure he was not always that monster. People have got to start being kind to one another and especially our children have got to be kind to each other. I have seen children in school especially older children be extremely cruel to others who are 'different' and 'not popular'. We have got to stop our children from being cruel to others. I am sure no one who reads this will agree but something happens to our young people to make them become 'killers' and no one ever seems to care.

NBC did an excellent job covering the news of this tragic event. Realizing that it is "time to leave" and giving the community the space it needs to heal, I feel, is an excellent step in the right direction. That young, disturbed, and clearly reprehensible man deserves the worst imaginable fate, and his actions will undoubtedly forever haunt this country, but to stifle the only clue he left behind---his "manifesto"---is not the solution to making this tragedy easier to stomach. It is the responsibility of a news organization to report the news. News men and women have a difficult job that entails difficult decisions. I applaude, you, NBC.