How Much Power Should We Give the Media?
This week, I was disgusted and shocked to hear that a 16 year old girl from Florida was videotaped while being beaten by a gang of teenage girls, just so the attackers could show their brutal attack on YouTube. Two boys and six girls were arrested after planning the attack and nearly beating the girl to death. As one girl held the camera, the others took turns kicking and punching the victim, while two boys stood guard nearby. The young girl was beaten so badly that after several minutes of assault she lost consciousness. Once she woke up, she was beaten again badly. The girls reported that they were going to post the beating on YouTube and My Space. All parties involved now face charges of false imprisonment and battery, and three were also charged with kidnapping after forcing the victim into a car to take her to the place where the proceeded to beat her. This 16 year old was beaten half to death, suffering a concussion, eye injuries and has now permanently lost hearing in one year, facing a long recovery period from her other injuries.
I just don’t understand how after everything this young girl and her family have been through, the beating has somehow still made its way onto YouTube, just as the gang had hoped. Why should we allow such a horrible scene to be publicly displayed in front of millions of people, when this was the wish of the attackers? Is the media really that powerful that people choose to post this video and share this video with others, when this was the primary wish of those terrible girls? Stories like this make me wonder what will eventually tip the scale and actually cause an uproar with regards to what should be viewable on the net. Will videos of rape and suicide be next? It’s not enough that this poor girl was hurt so badly and so publicly in the first place, but in addition, the suspects all got what they wanted- international fame and recognition. I know the media has become too powerful when horrible crimes are being committed just to be able to submit a unique post online. I know blogs are much more interesting when they include some catchy picture or a link to another site, but you better believe I’m not going to attach a link to this YouTube video. It’s immoral and sickening and I refuse to watch it, as should others who have the opportunity.
did you hear about the teacher who was beaten by one of her students, as the other kids egged it on and one kid videotaped it with his cellphone? it’s pretty much the same story as the one here but with a teacher. i saw it on the today show and wanted to vomit. i just don’t understand how some of this happens. and the worst part is that the teacher went to the school principal to report the incident and he said it was the teacher’s fault .. WHAT!? sometimes i just don’t know about this country, honestly!
Posted 3 months ago