The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Media Releasing 911 Tapes....What gives them the right??
Not to be a Debbie Downer but I need some feedback. Has anyone here heard of 911 tapes being given to the media for general distribution?
My problem, I was on a double fatal about 2 weeks ago, now it's on FFN's home page with WUSA9 posting the 911 call in full. It was hard enough dealing with the death of 2 young people but to turn around and have a news station try to sensationalize the story by putting the young ladies lasts moments out there for everyone and anyone to hear is killing me. To listen and know we were trying to get to them and couldn't.
What makes this any different than a stupid FF taking pics of a dead PT and putting them on the internet for her family to see?
I hope to hell these kids parents don't ever hear this...it will destroy them...it's hard enough for the FF/EMS personel that were there.
What gives the media the right to do this???
My problem, I was on a double fatal about 2 weeks ago, now it's on FFN's home page with WUSA9 posting the 911 call in full. It was hard enough dealing with the death of 2 young people but to turn around and have a news station try to sensationalize the story by putting the young ladies lasts moments out there for everyone and anyone to hear is killing me. To listen and know we were trying to get to them and couldn't.
What makes this any different than a stupid FF taking pics of a dead PT and putting them on the internet for her family to see?
I hope to hell these kids parents don't ever hear this...it will destroy them...it's hard enough for the FF/EMS personel that were there.
What gives the media the right to do this???
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on
-
HOW HORRIBLE !!!
THIS SHOULD BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVATE
I guess until someone sues to change the law - such as where HIPPA came from - everything is open to sensationalizing the trauma of others. -
-
Permalink Reply by Patti Walz on
-
I would love it if the press would leave these things alone.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Gary Stevenson on
-
Not an Attorney but I think 9-1-1 info falls under the "Public's Right to Know" and the 1st Amendment... but may vary from state-to-state.
I sucks yes and I have always thought it added no value to a story. I place this right up there with news crews who report on fatality MVCs showing the vehicle, with sometimes the plate showing. Imagine sitting at home waiting for your loved one to come home only to see a vehicle that looks like their's involved in a fatality MVC? -
-
-
Phoenix - I am so sorry that you or anyone has to go through these experiences... Probably best for you not to listen to the tapes.
Feel free to ask FFN to at least pull the recording off their website - they may assist in that part. -
-
Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
-
Media Releasing 911 Tapes....What gives them the right??
As I did mention in the article thread, 911 calls are public record, which means the media can do with them as they want. Having the capabilities doesn't make it moral or in good taste, but it is public record nonetheless.
Since this is public record and since the media does have a freedom of the press, in the long and short of it, the Constitution is what gives the media the right to do this. Doesn't make it in good taste, but even an outcry against such stories still generates viewership/readership, which leads to ratings and revenue.
Bottom line is there really is nothing anyone can do about it. -
-
Permalink Reply by Tom Williams on
-
John, I'm in agreement with 911 tapes being public record but it's the serious lack of common sense that seems to overflow that's so frustrating. There are things that can be done it's just a matter of enough people having the gumption to stand up for what they believe in. Everything in life can be changed, it's just a matter of process.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on
-
Any bonehead with a scanner and a tape recorder can record and re-broadcast audio transmissions. Not to mention that I believe they are subject to Freedom of Information Act requests. I'm also NOT an attorney, but I believe that this would be covered under the 1st Amendment.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Susan Tellem on
-
This is a Freedom of Information Act request that all reporters invoke when they want access. Remember, "If it bleeds it leads" on the news. And you are correct Brian that it relates to the 1st amendment. Unfortunately we cannot pick and choose who and what gets first amendment rights no matter how sad.
-
-
-
Actually, I think this thread is about 911 tapes ( as in call 911), not 9/11 (as in Sept 11th 2001).
-
-
Permalink Reply by Pararescue on
-
Dont just read the title. Read the whole article there killer.
-
-
-
On something like this you would think that common sense and human compassion would keep some jack wagon from putting this up. I just heard the 911 tape an hour ago and I kept thinking that I'll hear the firefighters come and get her in a second. What heartless retard would put this up for people to hear? It's like watching someone get killed! Prayers to the victims and families.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Paul Schewene on
-
Anyone who wonders why, as a volunteer, I came to loathe the idea of having the media on a scene reporting ANYTHING except what was given them by the department's public information officer... just needs to hear this 911 call tape, and look at what you've posted here Phoenix.
Here's the news editor's reply to the outcry...
"From our news director, Fred D'Ambrosi concerning complaints about airing the 911 tapes:
"I'm sorry you were offended by our story about the Frostburg 911 tapes. We had a great deal of discussion in the news department about the tapes, and ultimately, it was my decision to run what we did.
Our goal was to keep the story in the public eye. At the time of the tragedy, we reported on the response time of the fire department, and the safety conditions of the apartment. We were told by the State of Maryland that the response time was adequate for a rural volunteer fire department, and the building was up to code for a pre-1990 structure, and yet, two people are dead. When local officials were unresponsive, we filed a request for the tapes under the Freedom of Information Act.
In my experience, the only way to make people care about a story is to humanize it. That's why we interview the families of crime victims, or talk to the unemployed, or profile the needy. Sometimes viewers accuse us of exploiting these people, but I believe the opposite is true. We need to make it clear that real people are affected by these problems in order to get a response from the government or the public. I also think it's important that concerned viewers hear firsthand how the 911 system handled the call, and what kind of communication was made to the fire crew in the field. This was covered in our 11pm story.
We severely trimmed the portions of the tape we used on the air, and made it a point to warn viewers about the powerful nature of the content. We put the unedited tape on the web site in the belief that web users can make their own decision about whether to listen.
We do not take these decisions lightly. We did our best to contact the families of the victims to hear their perspective or concerns. Numerous people in the news department listened to the tape and expressed their opinions about it. More cuts were made as a result of these discussions.
I don't know if we made all the right decisions. Emails and messages like yours force us to review them, and hopefully, make better ones in the future. Thanks for watching and writing."
FRANKLY speaking... he would NOT enjoy it, if I visited him in his office and let him know what "I" think.
I'd be inclined to chew his butt out more viciously than any 200 Marine Corps Drill Instructors ever could. (And folks, when it comes to chewing someone out... Marine D.I.s are NO slouches!!!)
There is only ONE group of people who should the authority to RELEASE a 9-1-1 tape to the media.
The person that CALLED... or the NEXT OF KIN of the person that called.
Absent a SIGNED release by family members to air such a call, or to even publish a transcript of it... the news agency responsible, should be fined no less than 1 million dollars, for every SECOND of tape that is released, either in audio OR written form.
If they want extra ratings points off the back of our tragically departed citizens, LET THEM PAY FOR IT!!! -
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
