Wow. I had many reactions to that clip and am generally unsure how I feel about it. It reminded me of the debate we had about televised assisted suicide last year (http://debatewise.com/debates/622). Obviously the two scenarios are not comparable, but the sense of being present at a most personal moment of death and loss feels the same. Should that conversation have been televised? Some would argue that anything that would draw attention to the plight of the family, and indeed of Palestinians, is a good thing. Others would argue that it is distasteful to use such intimate personal tragedies as media fodder. I’m not sure which side of this argument i’m on, but I do know I felt somewhat relieved when the news anchir finally left to talk to the doctor concerned off air.

By Betony on 2009 01 19