Why does the media have to exploit these tragic things that happen like Columbine and the Virgina shooting?

It's one thing to report news but when they make it seem like these dirt bags are getting popular then other crazy people start thinking well if they get attention maybe I'll go do it.

Why does the media have to exploit these tragic things that happen like Columbine and the Virgina shooting?
Its true but ratings mean sales.
Reply:Ratings which equal more money from advertisers.
Reply:The more they show anything about this incident, the more people are going to watch for more or new information thus meaning ratings go up. When ratings go up, the station can charge higher for advertisment for product since it will get the most exposure during this time.
Reply:I love this question ....the answer is, the news media is a business just like McDonald's or Coke or Gap ....if they don't sell they don't survive. So, what is that they sell? They sell demographics ( people - you and me ) to their advertisers.


Now, here's a question. Why did Imus get fired ? Because the advertisers that paid for access to the air "slot" during the Imus show decided that there were enough outraged listeners ( again, you and me ) that they were no longer willing to risk " guilt by association " with Imus and possibly lose the purchase dollars of ? You and me !


So, in my opinion ....when enough of you and I turn off the TV when the media exploits tragic situations like 9/11, Columbine and the Virginia Tech shooting then that is when our nation will start to move the media to put out news for profits....and not sensationalism for profits !
Reply:What do you want them to do? Completely ignore it like we didnt just have the worst school shooting in the history of this country? People want to know exactly what happened, and it's medias job to do that.
Reply:The media is a buisness and as a buisness its all about money, no philanthropy here. They want sensational news, charged emotion, drama, and negative stories grab more attention and therefore more money than positive stories. They then want to milk every story for all its worth. Now the next motivation is that, as I predicted, in less than 24 hours politicians were immediately using this tradgedy to forward their gun control legislation. The media, being largely liberal barring a few notable exceptions, then latched onto reporting this aspect of the story. So now the media serves as a tool for drilling in the emotion and tragic loss of the story meanwhile tying it to pro-guncontrol legislation. Now I personally am against strict gun control but that is of no concern here. Regardless of your stance on that issue, it is wrong for the media and the politicians to be all over this tradgedy for their own gain. Media wants money and is sympathetic to all liberal causes, and politicians are always looking for ways to advance their agenda right or wrong. They should instead leave these people alone and let them grieve their loss. They are not a tool to be used by the media.
Reply:Because there is a lot of audience and money. Is no doubt! Is a bread to eat there for they.