Like every station across the country, CBC News is heavily covering the newly released confession tape of the suspect accused in the infamous van attack on Yonge St. last year. But while they play (and replay and replay) the so-called “highlights,” in which the man explains his actions and how he feels his “mission" was accomplished, their coverage comes with a caveat.
 
On both TV and online, the story includes this disclaimer:
 
“CBC News has reviewed the entire Toronto police interview and has decided not to publish the full video. This is to limit the impact on victims' families and survivors of the attack and to help mitigate gratuitous publicity of Alek Minassian's views and alleged motivation. We have selected a brief excerpt of the video that adds some context and enhances understanding of what happened that day.”
 
At first glance, that seems laudable. But they’re still airing the video. If the intent is to “mitigate the gratuitous publicity” should they be showing any of it at all? I’m of two minds on this. There’s no way they can ignore the story. I suspect the tape will turn up on most American nightly newscasts Friday evening. And everyone else is running it. So it could be argued they have no choice. It's a huge story.
 
But on the other hand, if they really didn’t want to spread his cause, it could also be said they shouldn’t air any of it at all, perhaps recounting a precis instead. 
 
I think their explanation is kind of hypocritical. It makes it look like they're trying to take the high road while still driving down it. You can’t say you’re trying to stop the message and then show any of it. To me, it’s one or the other. I’m not sure you can be a little bit pregnant on something like this.

I’d be curious to know what others who’ve struggled with these kinds of decisions think about their position.