THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 28, 1996 TAG: 9608280012
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 29 lines
I was very upset when I heard about the drowning of 5-year-old Alex Harris. I was even more upset when I turned to Page B4 and saw the picture you so callously printed showing a Navy SEAL holding the boy's body in the water. Although the only part of him showing was his lifeless arm, the picture was still gruesome.
I am not alone in my opinion, many of my coworkers and friends feel the same way. The photo was definitely a major topic of discussion around the office. Most of us have children. The last thing we care to see is a photo of a dead child.
The press, television and other mass-communications media are taking ``shock effect journalism'' way too far. Newsweek (July 29) published a report about the TWA Flight 800 disaster showing a rescue crew recovering a dead, unclothed woman's body from the water.
The media show absolutely no respect for victims and their families. They print these photos and use highly graphic verbiage. If you are a normal human being, then tragedy will move you automatically; you shouldn't need graphic, insensitive displays of ``journalism.'' I use that word loosely to make you realize the magnitude of the many effects of what you do on human emotions.
DENISE GOVINDAN
Virginia Beach, Aug. 23, 1996 by CNB