Mondo Times Media Poll Archive

This poll ran from April 23 to 29, 2007.

Mondo Stars Poll Results

"NBC exploited a mass murderer for ratings and profit." True 1059/78% False 305/22%

Votes: 1364

Accuracy in Media editor Cliff Kincaid, reacting to the decision by NBC News to telecast portions of the video material it received on April 18, 2007 from Virginia Tech killer Cho Seung-Hui.

In a statement released on April 19, Kincaid said "The Virginia Tech killer's death wish has come to pass. NBC is playing into the cold dead hands of a mass murderer, exploiting his paranoid delusions for ratings and profit. This is exactly what he wanted." Kincaid also said NBC News should make the entire contents available for "public inspection" on the Web.

The network placed an NBC News credit on everything released to other media from the package it was sent by Cho.

NBC released an explanatory statement on April 19. It included these words: "Upon receiving the materials from Cho Seung-Hui, NBC News took careful consideration in determining how the information should be distributed. We did not rush the material onto air, but instead consulted with local authorities, who have since publicly acknowledged our appropriate handling of the matter.

"Beginning this morning, we have limited our usage of the video across NBC News, including MSNBC, to no more than 10 percent of our airtime. Our Standards & Policies chief reviewed all material before it was released. One of our most experienced correspondents, [Justice Department reporter] Pete Williams, handled the reporting. We believe it provides some answers to the critical question, 'Why did this man carry out these awful murders?'" the statement continued.

"The decision to run this video was reached by virtually every news organization in the world, as evidenced by coverage on television, on Web sites and in newspapers. We have covered this story — and our unique role in it — with extreme sensitivity, underscored by our devoted efforts to remember and honor the victims and heroes of this tragic incident. We are committed to nothing less."

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