Is it right or Fair for the Media to be blame for the bloody outcome of Hostage

It is fair to blame the media for the bloody outcome of the hostage crisis last Monday. I don't know why our media here in the Philippines is like that - insensitive about the plight of the victims that might be harmed (and were definitely harmed and killed!) in the process of their "showing the people what they have the right to see". No, it is not about doing their job but it is about ethics. They should put themselves in the shoes of those victims - how would they feel if they are watching the whole proceedings on TV knowing that the hostage taker is also watching the same? They'd know for sure that they will die! And what? For the sake of showing people news or for the sake of high ratings over the other TV stations? I think that it is the latter that is more important to them!

Whether they admit it or not, the media is partly to blame for what happened last Monday. They should have practiced self-restraint when it's apparent that the lives of the hostages will be in danger if the gunman became agitated or got hold of informations that will jeopardize the rescue operations. But as we all know...They did not. All they were are like vultures in a feeding frenzy to sensationalize the entire incident, turning it into a drama that ultimately turn tragic as the arrest of Mendoza's equally wretched brother becomes a trigger for the gunman to start shooting. I hope their latest voluntary move to review what they have done, or should have never done, should make them amend their ways. Freedom is not absolute. Everybody have their own responsibility, and as the media themselves observe one rule they forgot: not one news should cost a single life.

Blaming the media is like blaming the rain when you get wet because you didn't use an umbrella. The only one responsible for this mess is the ground commander. He should have contained the media, bystanders, etc and he should have kept them at bay. One expert suggested that police should have placed an obstruction on the perimeter. All in all, it was a failed operation and it was all because of incompetence.

I do say that media is partly to blame for what happened during the incident. I understand that the people has the right to know and right to press freedom. But it should be done in a responsible manner so as not to cause damage. From what I understand, the hostage taker has reacted and started firing when he saw on the news from the tv screen inside the bus that his brother was being drag. What if the coverage was controlled by the police or there was a news blackout.. It could have been a different story.

If there are rules and protocols it needs to be followed if there are none then i don't think media is to be blame. Everything happened in real time it was a live coverage and as a reporter your tendency is to cover the news.. it could be adrenaline rush or whatever. I just wish there was a clear rule and implementation then maybe things like this would be handled more properly.

i agree he media peopl are not to be blamed... i should say the government should be the one blamed.. they are the ones who are in the position to make protocols for such situations that should have been overlooked hundred years ago.. :) our government is the one who is not equipped for the incident. media people are there just to do their job.

Partly yes, because based on Mendoza's action, it was his access to what's going on outside that prompted him to shoot the hostages upon seeing his relatives looking as if being harrassed. based on the extensive coverage that our local media has provided, the police were put at a disadvantage because all mendoza has to do is change channels on the bus' TV and he can see what's going on outside in every angle. It's just like the movie "scarface" happening in real life but with a different setting. But then who would have thought that it would end that way? one of the members here posted a link on what the media should do during hostage situations but apparently they are not aware of it then. I agree they are only doing their job but then in hostage situations the media is put in a place where their reporting play a crucial role on how the hostage taker would react since they are his eyes outside. In this case they should follow a certain standard on what to do or not or restrain themselves in giving too much detail because lives are at stake.

i think from my point of view, there has been miscommunication and interpretation of the case.

I don't think they should blame the media for the outcome of the hostage taking incident. Its the authorities that are responsible in that incident that should take the blame. Media is just doing their job, that is make the people aware of what's happening in there. I think they are just blaming the media because they cannot find anyone to blame. They should just blame their incompetence.