Outrage over N.Y. Post cover of man in train's path

[jsr]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-ny-post-cover-train-death-20121204,0,2844391.story

Outrage over N.Y. Post cover of man in train's path
By Andrew Khouri

On Tuesday, New Yorkers awoke to a gruesome New York Post cover photo. The photo, which fills most of the page, depicts a man trapped on the New York City subway tracks, awaiting an oncoming train that would eventually take his life.

“Pushed on the subway track, this man is about to die,” the headline says. The victim appears to be trying to climb up as he looks toward the oncoming train. Below the victim, appears one word: “DOOMED.”

The decision has sparked outrage across the Internet, raising questions about journalism ethics. The story also has touched off a debate about whether bystanders — including the photographer — should have done more to help Ki Suk Han, a 58-year-old from Queens, N.Y., who was allegedly pushed onto the tracks Monday afternoon....

“Wow! enough time to take a few pictures. Why didn't the person help? … What an age we live in when getting the picture is more important! I am appalled,” Joseph Monte wrote in a comment on the Post’s website.

[Texasgal]

1. I read this story earlier today

and I had to say that I was disgusted.

I cannot believe the people who were there did not try to help and for idiot that decided that a picture of this even was OKAY to publish on the cover or any part of the NYP is TRASH.

I shake my head in disgust.

[GeorgeGist]

2. Rupert's sleeze.

[TwilightGardener]

3. Death as entertainment. No reason to take the photo, no

reason to publish it. Extremely disrespectful of this man and his family.

[soleft]

4. The Huffington Post has sports snuff films

Almost every other week.

Also, I read that the photographer was running toward the train flashing his flash to try and get the engineers attention.

I think there needs to be public servant announcements telling people what to do if they fall on the tracks. For instance, running to the end of the station (if there is enough time) or climbing under the platform. Trying to pull yourself up is probably the worse thing. I wish people would discuss this.

[Libertas1776]

22. In NYC subways

there is basically a sort of trench in between the rails of the track. Regrettably, it is usually filled with trash, filthy water, or dead rat but it is still space enough to lie flat with clearance for the train to pass overhead. I recall a story about a man who suffered a seizure and fell onto the tracks. Another man jumped onto the tracks to try and pull him out as the train barreled down on them. When he realized he wouldn't make it out in time, the good Samaritan pushed the epileptic man into the trench and laid on top of him with seconds to spare. Needless to say, the train passed over them safely.

I agree, there should be discussion about those things or signs posted. Granted, in a panic, someone might still try their damnedest to climb out even if there is a lone person shouting at them to lay down in the trench.

[smokey nj]

5. This is par for the course with the Post.

When Eric Clapton's son fell to his death, the Post put a picture of the dead boy on its cover. If I remember correctly, it was an overhead shot of Conor after he'd fallen out of the window.

[Brickbat]

6. PSA: All engineers and trainmen are taught that if they see someone waving their both their arms

frantically, they must instantly shoot the breaks. It's the universal sign for STOP.

[customerserviceguy]

12. Yes

Whereas a camera flash is the universal sign for "tourist fascinated by a subway train." Total fail on the part of the asshat who simply took a picture.

In any other city, half a dozen people would have mobbed the guy doing the pushing, and half a dozen would have pulled this man out of the way. Kitty Genovese's ghost is still looking for a courageous individual on the streets of NYC.

[NoodleyAppendage]

14. +1000

Damn straight. Present enough to snap a picture, but not enough to save a life?

[Agschmid]

17. This is society today, they'd rather post it on YouTube.

The downfall of what we think of society will be through technology.

[markpkessinger]

15. Absolutely . . .

. . . and in any case, anybody who has more than two brain cells to rub together should know that a subway train cannot stop that quickly in any case.

[virgogal]

7. I was unaware of the photo until I saw it here on D.U. .

[Marrah_G]

8. That is horrifying

Someone was to busy taking a picture rather then trying to help him up.

[MFM008]

9. faces of death

what does anyone expect from a Murdock RAG? Class? Compassion? Good Taste?

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. What is amazing is that

a photo and a rescue could have happened. And a photo of people doing a rescue would be much better.

I say this as somebody who's done both. My choice would be to attempt a rescue.

But...the horror comes from our own culture. Photos like this one run around the world regularly. In Mexico they are called "nota roja."

[davidn3600]

11. That's the direction of society

We are becoming desensitized to this kind of thing.

There was a story a few years ago...a surveillance camera caught a hit and run on video. The man was hit and down on the ground, the driver that hit him sped off, and bystanders just kept walking by like nothing happened.

[Agschmid]

18. Agree. n/t

[Luminous Animal]

13. Put a "GRAPHIC" warning in your title.

For what is is worth, I think you reposting the picture with no warning is akin to the post printing it.

[Change has come]

16. Thank you.

How freaking sleazy.

[polly7]

19. How horrible:(

That poor man.

I can't imagine being a member of his family or group of friends and seeing this.

[Renew Deal]

20. I've thought about what I would do if I ended up on the tracks.

Because I ride the subway almost daily. The best thing to do is get on the other side of the third rail. Often there is either wall there or an empty space adjacent to the next set of tracks. I hope I never have to seal with that.

[rDigital]

21. So sad. I simply cannot believe that anyone would print such a picture in

a publication like that. What if that was your kid or your dad?

[Samantha]

23. Depraved indifference

For those people who just stood there and watched and the photographer who could not drop his camera long enough to lend a life-saving helping hand, I hope some investigative authority looks into the possibility of legal charges for simply standing there as a human being was in the process of losing his life and did nothing. It is barbaric.

Sam

[FarCenter]

24. Neighborhood man questioned after subway rider's death on tracks

Witnesses have indicated the man who pushed 58-year-old Ki-Suck Han to his death appeared to be disturbed and had been muttering and frightening others on the platform as they waited for a train about 12:30 p.m. Monday.

Han, who New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly has said was headed to the Korean consulate to renew his passport, apparently confronted the man and told him to leave others alone.

Video taken by another person on the platform showed the man yelling at Han to leave him alone.

At a news briefing, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said it appeared the man who had pushed Han had “a psychiatric problem.”

Han, he said, “tried to break up a fight or something and paid for it with his life.”

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-subway-rider-dies-suspect-questioned-20121204,0,7408538.story

[marmar]

25. Murdoch has set a bar so low for media......

...... that his publications have to look up to find the bottom of the barrel.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

26. I can tell you right now why that pic wat chosen and it was not due to journalism!!

This kind of yellow journalism is due to the sales dept. getting their dirty, sick minds in the newsroom! I remember when I was working as a associate producer for t aTV morning news show. The sales dept had to be watched 24/7 so they didn't mess up the news. And believe me there were a few stories they wanted to stop and in some others they wanted to add stuff. When they do get in your newsroom just hang up true journalism!

[Quantess]

27. Repulsive!!

[Initech]

28. Seriously what the hell is wrong with people?