A lesson from US media

Published December 31, 2012

IN the recent shooting spree by a 20-year-old man in Newtown, Connecticut, 26 people, including 20 children, were killed. This unfortunate incident took place in a country which is regarded as a leader in the freedom of speech and communication. But hats off to their media which neither showed details of even a single victim lying in a pool of blood nor showed the bloody remains of those departed.

The American media is rather busy in the critical analysis of the whole episode. On the other hand, our media shows details -- ranging from mutilated bodies to severed human parts.

The same thing happened last year when the tsunami in Japan killed thousands of people. Not even a single corpse was shown on the Japanese media.

I believe that our media should now become more responsible and mature and use the freedom of speech in a positive way, giving apt suggestions on how to deal with news related to violent acts or incidents in which deaths occur.

M. ASIF      Karachi

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WE have suicide bombers galore. Americans have suicide shooters or rather snipers in large numbers. So what is the difference? My heart and feelings go out nonetheless for those 20 innocent and lovely children and those six brave adults who tried to save them.

It seems that the US is a very dangerous place to be in. Should we not issue a travel warning?

TANVIR AHMED MOHAJIR Karachi

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