Much backlash against NBC on over its decision to broadcast excerpts of the Virginia Tech University gunman's last ramblings.

Here's some reaction from the victims' families and Col. Steve Flaherty, superintendent of the Virginia State Police, as quoted in a CTV.ca story:

"Over the last news cycle the families of the victims, they have endured, the Virginia Tech family has endured and indeed the world has endured a view of life that few of us would or should have to endure," said Flaherty.

Family members of some victims also reacted to NBC's decision to air the video by cancelling plans to appear on the network's "Today" show.

"Today" host Matt Lauer said Thursday that NBC feels strongly that "this is not some kind of video that we need to run in some kind of endless loop," and that NBC would "severely limit'' airing the clips.

However, he explained the decision saying it was made to help people understand or answer why the incident happened.

Here's Peter Horrocks, head of BBC News, writing at the BBC's The Editors blog:

We have not replayed large chunks of the video endlessly on News 24 or BBC World. We are well aware of the concern that the video may lead others to copy or emulate him. Indeed we have interviewed people discussing that dilemma. However, given that the video is already widely available, we had to judge whether withholding the video from BBC audiences was the appropriate thing to do. We decided that playing short clips, responsibly contextualised, could aid understanding of the story.

Here's Tony Burman, editorial supremo at CBC:

On its evening newscast, NBC ran several minutes of excerpts, and this video has been rebroadcast by a multitude of other networks. At the CBC, we debated the issue throughout the evening and made the decision that we would not broadcast any video or audio of this bizarre collection. On CBC Television, Radio and CBC.ca, we would report the essence of what the killer was saying, but not do what he so clearly hoped all media would do. To decide otherwise - in our view -would be to risk copycat killings. Speaking personally, I have long admired NBC News and I am sure my admiration of their journalists will endure. But I think their handling of these tapes was a mistake. As I watched them last night, sickened as I'm sure most viewers were, I imagined what kind of impact this broadcast would have on similarly deranged people. In horrific but real ways, this is their 15 seconds of fame. I had this awful and sad feeling that there were parents watching these excerpts on NBC who were unaware they they will lose their children in some future copycat killing triggered by these broadcasts.

Update:

Incidentally, I found this at CBC.ca:

Gill's pose in that photo is very similar to some of Cho's poses in the photos and video he sent to NBC. However, I guess CBC.ca thought there was no risk of a copycat killing in this particular case. Either that or they're being inconsistent. Did they think the words "life is like a video game, you gotta die sometime" would only resonate with disturbed potential copycats if they were heard and not read?

The Poynter Institute has a podcast of some of its staff talking over the ethics of the case. I'll enclose below a statement by NBC News President Steve Capus:

I want to take a moment to explain our decision. I assure you it was not taken lightly. It was only done after careful consideration and with great sensitivity to the families and friends of the victims and the entire community of Virginia Tech.

First, it is important to note, NBC News has broadcast only a small fraction of the material we've received. In total, there are more than 45 photos, more than 23 minutes of video tape and 23 some pages of written materials. We selectively chose certain limited passages and material to release.

Prior to the release, we worked very closely with law enforcement authorities. They asked us to remain silent about the material until they had a chance to review the content. We naturally abided by that request. We handed over to the FBI all of the original documents in a quick manner with the expressed desire to do anything to help investigators. Indeed, we appreciated the acknowledgment by the Virginia State Police during their press briefing yesterday, of our handling of this incident.

Some 7 and 1/2 hours passed before we aired the first video from the material, and again it was done in an extremely limited manner. Our Standards and Policies chief reviewed all material before it was released. One of our most experienced correspondents, Pete Williams handled the reporting. We believe it provides some answers to the critical question, "WHY did this man carry out these awful murders?" The same decision to run this video was reached by virtually every news organization in the world, as evidenced by their coverage on television, on websites and in newspapers.

The pain suffered by the Virginia Tech community and indeed the country is real and will last forever. I believe our coverage to date has been handled with great sensitivity. We are committed to nothing less.

Thank you for taking the time to write. I hope you appreciate our difficult position -- and that this e-mail offers some understanding.