As the first anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting approaches, Brian Stelter talks with journalist and Newtown resident Brian Koonz about how the media should mark the occasion.
Here are a few examples of people weighing in on the upcoming anniversary and how it should be handled:
Statement by Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra:
"Our community is choosing to remember and honor those who lost their lives in that awful tragedy in ways that are quiet, personal, and respectful – centered on the themes of kindness, love, and service to others. We are wishing fervently that those many persons who wish us well, and the media, will allow us this time to be alone and quiet with time for personal and communal reflection."
Statements by various media:
"The Newtown Bee is not participating in coverage by outside media of the 12/14 anniversary of the Sandy Hook shootings. There is a point - and I think we had already passed it at the six-month mark - where the continued media fascination with Newtown's psychological state becomes an impediment to the healing process for many people. We, here at The Bee, are keenly aware of that local sentiment, and our main mission has always been to respect and serve the interests of our audience, which is the Newtown community."
- Curtiss Clark, Editor, The Newtown Bee; Thursday
"WFSB thanks CNN for the invitation, but we respectfully decline. It is not our intention to garner publicity for ourselves. This was a decision based on what was right and respectful. There was no imminent news reason to be in town that day, just for the sake of live presence. We've chosen to air a memorial piece about each victim for the 26 days leading up to December 14th. We have also extensively covered the newly released preliminary report as necessary and will continue to do so as developments occur."
- Klarn DePalma, VP/General Manager, WFSB; Statement to CNN, Wednesday
Paul Farhi, Robert Costa, Keli Goff and Howard Kurtz examine media coverage of the gun control debate.
Fred Francis, Lauren Ashburn, Steve Roberts and Howard Kurtz discuss the challenge for journalists of covering the traumatic events in Newtown, Conn.
Terence Smith, Tom Foreman and Howard Kurtz discuss the National Rifle Association’s response to the Newtown tragedy
Frank Sesno, Lauren Ashburn, David Zurawik and Howard Kurtz discuss what the media did right - and wrong - during the coverage of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting massacre.
Wolf Blitzer, Soledad O'Brien and Howard Kurtz trade notes on what it's like to put aside emotion when covering tragedies like the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut.