Media blackout of terrorist tapes

[VTBob]

One thing I've always noticed is that the US media rarely airs any tidbits of al Qaeda (or for that matter, any terrorist groups) tapes, instead using freeze frames or short portions with the audio removed. I'm curious, is this a meda-backed policy that all the news outlets follow silently, or is it more of a governmental pressure to keep these tapes from being aired on US airwaves?


I'm not trying to be a crazy conspiracy fool, just more curious as to why these tapes are never aired but merely spoken about on air...

[Spence]

is this a meda-backed policy that all the news outlets follow silently, or is it more of a governmental pressure to keep these tapes from being aired on US airwaves?Both. The government doesn't want those things played too much and the media, though desperate for the kind of ratings you can get with shock and gore, is worried about drawing the wrath of the FCC if they play those videotapes. I don't care to see the tapes myself. I already hate those bastards as much as I ever could and seeing them saw thru some poor guy's throat isn't my idea of a good time.

[VTBob]

Both. The government doesn't want those things played too much and the media, though desperate for the kind of ratings you can get with shock and gore, is worried about drawing the wrath of the FCC if they play those videotapes. I don't care to see the tapes myself. I already hate those bastards as much as I ever could and seeing them saw thru some poor guy's throat isn't my idea of a good time.

I realize why they don't air those execution videos due to FCC rules and (of course gov't pressure to keep it from the air) I was more referring to the al Qaeda threat tapes - sorry I wasn't clear on it

[Axegrinder]

Don't forget that the tapes may have signals or messages hidden in them.

[Ibleedburgundy]

Michael Savage used to have that beheading on his website. Kinda tasteless IMO.

[VTBob]

Don't forget that the tapes may have signals or messages hidden in them.

True, I didn't think about that aspect. Definitely don't wanna give a sleeper cell a codeword to attack...

[CNYSkinFan]

Tasteless? Savage? NEVER!!!!