Needa chill… (Nagoya, May 2008 )
Yesterday I saw one of the most horrible things in the world: TV reporters asking “How would you recompense the victims?” to parents of a 25-year-old criminal. Next to the farther who kept apologising, mother fell on the ground in tears and knelt down.
I thought that a 25-year-old is responsible for his/her actions and not his/her parents. But I guess it is not so for these Japanese TV stations (Fuji TV and NTV as far as I know).
The criminal killed seven people on street in downtown Tokyo last Sunday (Please see my post related). No matter how cruel it was, interrogating or blaming his parents in public is not a way for journalism, if the reporters want to find out the truth.
The criminal was working contract-based. He almost got fired nine days before the murder. His SMS to his friends clearly show how “useless” he felt and his instable status of mind.
Isn’t it journalism’s work to find out more people in the same boat? How does it feel like to be in the boat? They probably will find people in the similar stage, and might be able to prevent possible cases.
Who are the stakeholders? I am sure there are more than his parents. Maybe media were afraid to take their own responsibilities? Anyway, this is not the way to take.
katya said,
Thursday, 12 June 2008 @ 2:51
“Isn’t it journalism’s work to find out more people in the same boat? ”
It is, It is, It is!
What makes an impression on me, “I thought that a 25-year-old is responsible for his/her actions and not his/her parents.”
Conditions are similar in India.