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Televising of McVeigh execution reeks of the past
By Staff Editorial/Minnesota Daily Tribune Media Services MINNEAPOLIS — On May 16 the relatives of victims and survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing will witness the execution of convicted bomber Timothy McVeigh. The magnitude of the blast was unprecedented in terrorist attacks on our soil, and the explosion killed 168 people and injured hundreds more. Ten survivors and victims’ family members will witness the execution, and nearly 200 more will watch it over a closed-circuit television broadcast. McVeigh’s execution will bring justice for these witnesses, but many Americans —including McVeigh himself—want the execution to be televised nationally. Although the bombing affected Americans across the country, the media should not extend its voyeuristic trend to this important and cathartic event. Attorney General John Ashcroft made the proper decision to allow the execution to be televised on a closed-circuit network. He had to respond to a logistical problem with the case—the large number of direct victims. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons are working to ensure a highly secure broadcast of the execution to prevent retrieval of the footage through hacking. Encryption will thwart many hackers, but a high demand for the footage could still possibly be fulfilled. Those who survived or lost a family member in the bombing need closure, and hopefully they will recieve it by watching McVeigh’s execution. Closure is just as important to Americans who watched the aftermath of the blast unfold live on television, kept up with reports of survivors and victims for weeks after the bombing, and paid close attention to McVeigh’s federal trial. However, these people only felt the effects of the tragedy indirectly and do not demonstrate the right or the need to watch footage of McVeigh’s execution. Societal closure can be recieved simply by knowing the perpetrator of this violent crime paid for it with his life. Televising the execution nationally will revert the United States back to the day of public hangings and will cheapen the experience for the victims. By airing the execution, the media will glorify the taking of McVeigh’s life, and cross into voyeurism. Media sensationalism and intrusion into private matters has recently been heightened in television, and could reach a pinnacle by making the execution a public spectacle. Although the event has all the ingredients of “good” television, appealing to base instinct and possibly sadistic desires, will help ratings—not society. Americans not directly affected by the bombing still need to close this chapter of their lives, but they can stand to miss the sight of McVeigh’s execution. As a vital step in the grieving process, the victims and family of those directly affected by the bombing should witness McVeigh’s execution. The 10 media representatives who will have the opportunity to view the execution without cameras will handle the newsworthiness of the event. Their words will be suitable to relay the calculated and swift justice to those not present. So, what do YOU think? Letters to The Columbia Chronicle can be sent to us by filling out this form. Note: If your browser does not support multiple windows, click here. Back to top | Home The Columbia Chronicle is a student produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of Columbia College administrators, faculty or students. |
April 23, 2001
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