something I heard on KYW

[knight]

The other evening (Tues) on my way home from work I tuned into KYW and heard the anchor (woman, did not catch the name) refer to a car bomb in Iraq as a ‘Homicide’ Bombing. Normally I thought these are reported as ‘Suicide’ Bombings. So I thought for a second and thought 1- I heard it wrong, 2- She misspoke. But I heard her use the term at least one other time. Got me to wondering…was she or the station making a political statement of some kind? Is there really a difference? Are these terms interchangeable? Did she or the writer really get it wrong? Just curious…

 

[DToTheJ]

Could it be possible she was referring to Hamas?

And no, I don't think there was a problem with the anchorwoman's mic. ;D

 

[radiophiler]

"Homicide bomber" was used in 2002 by G.W. Bush Press Secretary Ari Fleischer as an alternate to "suicide bomber." It was coined, so say its users, to put more emphasis on the fact that others are killed besides the bomber himself.
Fox News is the primary user of this phrase to date. Does KYW still share some anchors with WPHT which carries Fox Radio News? That could be the explanation.

 

[Beejus]

"Homicide bomber" was used in 2002 by G.W. Bush Press Secretary Ari Fleischer as an alternate to "suicide bomber." It was coined, so say its users, to put more emphasis on the fact that others are killed besides the bomber himself.
Fox News is the primary user of this phrase to date. Does KYW still share some anchors with WPHT which carries Fox Radio News? That could be the explanation.

I was thinking that, or, if it was a car bomb, the bomber could have parked the car and left and detonated it later, so it may not have been a suicide?

I don't know, just tossing out a possibility.

 

[Those RRRRs]

What's the difference? Close the damn borders so we don't have to start listening to KYW reporting 'homicide' or 'suicide' bombers, or whatever the hell you want to call them, right here in our streets.

 

[Disillusioned]

Someone should correct her. It's a Bush-ism and a Fox-ism, and using it calls her credibility as an unbiased news person into question. That is not the only problem with the term. The job of an anchor is to offer a listener as much information as you can, in as few words as possible. "Homicide Bomber" may tell you someone killed people with a bomb, but "Suicide Bomber" tells you someone killed people with a bomb, and also killed themselves (when you use the term suicide bomber, the deaths of others is implied).

...as I long time major market news anchor (in another market), this dead giveaway for a conservative bias grates on me. This anchor's use of it shows that, to her, serving her listeners is secondary to serving her political bias. I'm surprised KYW would let her get away with it.

 

[Those RRRRs]

Mmmmmm. Gotta love it when folks are more outraged at the use of terminology than with the actions of 'suicidal' or 'homicidal' fanatics. Unbelievable.

With all due respect, you are way off base. As a former news anchor I'm sure you are aware that copy is prepared for anchors beforehand in many cases. So it's plausible that she was reading copy verbatim. And even if she weren't, you cannot say for certain that one has an entire hidden political agenda because he/she has used one single word in a certain context. That is absurd.

Stop spreading that kind of nonsense. There are sheeple who might actually believe it.

 

[Disillusioned]

Gotta love it when folks are more outraged at the use of terminology than with the actions of 'suicidal' or 'homicidal' fanatics.

I'm sorry, I'm not sure how you came to that erroneous conclusion...but words are a news anchor's business. Words matter. That is why she chose the one she did.

As a former news anchor I'm sure you are aware that copy is prepared for anchors beforehand in many cases. So it's plausible that she was reading copy verbatim.

It is plausible...but her words are still her responsibility. If someone gave me a piece of copy with this bit of bias in it, they would quickly learn that it is unacceptable, and why.

you cannot say for certain that one has an entire hidden political agenda because he/she has used one single word in a certain context.

I most certainly can. Most people in the newz biz are aware of the politics surrounding the use of the term "homicide bomber" vs. "suicide bomber," and are aware that when they choose the former they are making a political statement. There is no place for political statements in the news.

 

[Irishfl]

Someone should correct her. It's a Bush-ism and a Fox-ism, and using it calls her credibility as an unbiased news person into question. That is not the only problem with the term. The job of an anchor is to offer a listener as much information as you can, in as few words as possible. "Homicide Bomber" may tell you someone killed people with a bomb, but "Suicide Bomber" tells you someone killed people with a bomb, and also killed themselves (when you use the term suicide bomber, the deaths of others is implied).

...as I long time major market news anchor (in another market), this dead giveaway for a conservative bias grates on me. This anchor's use of it shows that, to her, serving her listeners is secondary to serving her political bias. I'm surprised KYW would let her get away with it.

CBS radio needs to make major changes to the station now because enough is enough. I want every person to contact KYW and let them know how upset you are about their news operation: http://kyw1060.com/pages/11537.php

Also tell them to start carrying 60 minutes, like everyother market in the world.

 

[Those RRRRs]

Most people in the newz biz are aware of the politics surrounding the use of the term "homicide bomber" vs. "suicide bomber," and are aware that when they choose the former they are making a political statement.

I'm sorry but I can't let you get away with that. You are wrong. When one uses a bomb to kill others, he is committing a form of homicide. And I find it shameful that certain pundits wish to put a political spin on it. You don't have to take my word for it, ask a lexicographer.

It may be political in the minds of certain individuals, but the absolute fact remains that the term 'homicide' is an accurate description and defintion of that action. Even if you decide to put a political spin on it yourself, that does not mean that this news person is part of such an agenda. An intellectually honest person without an agenda will agree that the term 'homicide bomber' may be used correctly in this instance. Period.

You're talking ideology. I'm talking definition. Anyone can take anything out of context at any time. Society has a way of "defining" certain 'meaning' behind particular words and phrases used by certain individuals for the benefit of categorizing those same individuals in order to create an "us vs. them" scenario.

And look at the damage it's done to people. Here's a great example. Maybe this news anchor is a recent college grad with a bright future who was only 'reading' copy verbatim. There are individuals on this board who would be willing to 'Imus' her over this and make certain that the only microphone she ever speaks into again is the one in which one says, "extra pickles and a large fry."

And the action of bombing innocents? Doesn't matter to these same people as much as terminology. If it did, the subject wouldn't even surface. It's about ideology over innocent lives. Absolutely disgusting.

 

[radiophiler]

KYW's primary networks are ABC, CBS, CNN and AP. None of them use the term "homicide bomber." It's a Fox-only thing. By using the term, the anchor was going against the "style book" of the rest of the station.
It could have been non-intentional or intentional. None of us were in the newsroom or studio to know that. However, it can be perceived as either a political bias or Fox-isms creeping into KYW. Either way, she should be corrected - not punished, no one is suggesting she be "Imus-ed."
If I were the News Director (and I was one for seven years), I'd remind her to use the style of the rest of the station. In talking with her, I would not accuse her of political bias. That's irrelevant. The important thing is that the station have a consistent style.

 

[Those RRRRs]

However, it can be perceived as either a political bias or Fox-isms creeping into KYW.

Perception is only reality to those who are incapable of independent thinking. It's shameful that this type of discussion is more relevant in this thread than the action of bombers killing innocent people.

 

[gwjr67]

Oh man, this topic could get me started on a million different ways that other news organizations put a liberal bias or spin on stories. The Today Show alone is loaded with them every single day. But if a right-minded person takes offense, you are just being oversensitive. I agree with "Those RRRR's" wholeheartedly. The real story is that a person ruthlessly killed other people in a horrible way. Ooops, I guess in order to make the liberals happy I should have written, "...... halfway on the other side of the world today, bomb detonated, people died." Oops again, "...the other side of the world" could be used to say I was referring to someone that lives half-way around the world as being different than me (race, religion, sexual orientation, or other). Maybe it should be, ".... bomb explodes today, people dead." Nope, still didn't get it right. People might think I mean the word bomb had specific intent. It should be, ".... explosion today, people died" Darn it! That assumes that the explosion killed them. For some people it could have been natural causes that happened at the same moment as the explosion, and why give someone credit or blame for that?. One more try. "...people died today. Thank you & goodnight."
Do you realize how ridiculous this is now????

 

[Those RRRRs]

Very clever and well said. The whole thread is ridiculous. I wasn't even going to comment until I saw how absurd this thread had started to become. But welcome to America in 2007. Unbelievable.

 

[knight]

Sorry to have gotten some so worked up. My original intent was not to stir up a political hornets nest but rather just to ask a simple question. I had not heard that term used on KYW before (or since). But alas, I guess in a larger sense it does speak to the political/liberal/conservative twists put on the news by whomever (be it person or agency) doing the reporting. For someone like me (a card carrying independent) it makes finding the real news more difficult. Whether that news is a report on a bombing in another country or on a political candidate in my very own township, I (we) always have to be aware of a possible spin.

 

[WTUX]

A person wires their car to blow up. Then they get out of the car and leave the scene. The goal is to kill as many people as possible. That makes them a "homicide bomber." What dos the fact that Fox may use the term have anything to do with politics? More news outlets should use it! We treat these mass murderers as if they are some kind of hero.

 

[knight]

The way you state it I would say maybe you are correct. In fact, thinking about it now, the listener is never really told if the car is/was indeed being driven or empty and in place already. When I hear suicide bomb on radio/tv or read it in print I have always pictured a kamikaze like action using a car rather than a plane (though the car would not be racing toward the target). Thus I can see the difference between homicide and suicide in that case. If that is indeed the intent. As for treating them like a hero....I never get that impression.

 

[Those RRRRs]

Of course. No one on KYW needs "correcting" like what was stated earlier. Even if the bomber killed himself while killing others, it is still a "homicide." To suggest otherwise is irresponsible and offensive.

 

[Disillusioned]

However, it can be perceived as either a political bias or Fox-isms creeping into KYW. Either way, she should be corrected - not punished, no one is suggesting she be "Imus-ed."

Well said.

If I were the News Director (and I was one for seven years), I'd remind her to use the style of the rest of the station. In talking with her, I would not accuse her of political bias. That's irrelevant. The important thing is that the station have a consistent style.

Another excellent point. I agree with you, BTW.

 

[Disillusioned]

Ooops, I guess in order to make the liberals happy I should have written, "...... halfway on the other side of the world today, bomb detonated, people died."

Huh? No...how 'bout this..."A suicide bomber kills 100 at a crowded cafe at midday", or whatever. That tells you the bomber killed 100 -- and himself -- in an environment that would otherwise suggest ease and enjoyment. "A homocide bomber kills 100 at a crowded cafe at midday" is redundant ("homocide bomber" and "kills 100" says essentially the same thing), and doesn't tell you the bomber is the kind of extremist who was also willing to kill himself. It's not about liberal or conservative. It's about poor news writing. Anyone who would choose the latter -- as I said before -- is likely working in service of their political beliefs, not in the interest of their listeners. Because, once again, the goal of good news writing is to get as much info as you can into as few words as possible.

This is really simple, guys...