Point - Counterpoint

 Point - David Clark

The Olympics are a global event.  From the smallest nations, to the world's super powers, all can witness wonderful accomplishments as well as heartbreaking upsets from the athletic heroes of the world.  Tragedies are no different.

It is no question that the event that unfolded last Friday  is hearwrenching. To the families, friends, and fans of the Olympian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili's, it was a quite unforgettable incident.

The world's stage was nearly set just before the accident took place, making it unavoidable to witness.  That very night, it was broadcasted on NBC Nightly News several times with a clear disclaimer before each viewing; and just a day later, the President of NBC News commanded it to be banished from the media, unless granted his permission.

Now how could such a striking video be deprived from public view?  To those without a heart, soul, or a brain, or the combination thereof, have seemingly had much fun posting leaks of the video under titles, "Luger Death Video" and "Watch Luger Who Died Video". Because of the ban, true news reporters have been stripped of their right to broadcast and report the news.

Live footage of riots inspired by post-game madness, and any other media of violent nature are hoarded by news and distributed amongst the population to be eaten up. For the most part, such is necessary to stay current with
this fast-paced society.

What is the difference between allowing images of the crash, and not allowing video that draws the whole picture of the occurrence?  The answer is simple and all at once, so complex.  The scope of the media is madeinto a sad illusion of its true foundation.  The right to broadcast is given to those that can grab first, or the highest bidder.  

As any reporter, anchor, photographer, or just an American staying up to date via their morning or nightly news, there is a right we all share to put on the air consistent events of the world and it is a right we must to uphold.

Counterpoint - Jonathan Andrade

Death is normal in society, so it was no surprise when the news began to report a death Friday morning.

What was newsworthy in this case was that it was a Georgian Olympian's life that was taken during his practice luge trials in Vancouver.

Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, lost control of his sled and was ejected into an unpadded pole. He died later in the hospital after failed attempts of revival.

Video of the unfortunate crash was later aired by NBC. Millions of viewers looked on as the luger's Olympic dreams were smashed.

All morals went out the window with the repeated slow motion shots of the crash.

Although it is their job to report all worthy news, there is a point where they must stop and do what is humanly right. Video of the crash was not needed to break the news.

Journalists crossing these invisible lines isn't new in our society. Super journalist Kevin Sites faced similar scrutiny for showing footage of a U.S. Marine shooting an unarmed Iraqi insurgent in Fallujah in 2004.

There are some times when journalists need to stop and think about what is right rather than what will make a good story.

News stations have also recently taken advantage of the Haiti earthquake and turned it into solid story opportunities. With the havoc around Haiti, journalists should also try and help in the time they aren't doing actual reporting rather than take the chance to video tape themselves helping a few here and there.

Once Anderson Cooper is done posing for the cameras he should either head back to the states or
roll up his sleeves and help distribute much needed supplies.

A simple story would have been enough to get the news out but a video of this tragedy wasn't needed. Although many of the videos have been removed from various web sites, the damage is already done.

Not only did NBC cross the line by showing Kumaritashvili's  death, his loved ones will have to deal with the eerie footage of his final run.