Channel 7 Won't Changes Its Mind and Will Air Reading of 9/11 Victim Names

Perhaps it's another sign of people moving on from 9/11, or perhaps it's something else, but WABC/Channel 7 has decided not to air the reading of 9/11 victims' names on Tuesday, the 6th anniversary of the attack. Instead, it will continue with its regular programming following the moment of silence at around 9 a.m. If the decision isn't changed, the top-rated station will become the city's first not to air the reading of the 2,749 names. Kenny Plotnik, the station's news director told the Daily News, "We decided to provide continuous coverage on our digital channel and Web site so our audience could have a choice between their regular programming and the Sept. 11 ceremony. We hope to be respectful to the families and serve our audience. This is not about ratings, it's about what's right."

Family members of victims are obviously upset. Bill Doyle, father of a firefighter told the Post, "I'm very depressed . . . ABC cares less [than others] about 9/11. It's obvious they're more worried about ratings. Shame. Shame on them." Taking a dig at his station's rival, Dan Forman of WNBC/Channel 4 said, "The fact of the matter is, there's still a hole in the ground. The healing is not complete. It strikes a chord in the community."

Channel 7 anchor Bill Ritter will be at Ground Zero beginning at 5 a.m. and will be there for the whole ceremony for the digital and web coverage. Ritter will be on air at 7 when the ceremony starts, and from 8:25 until after 9 when when the station will switch its coverage.

Update: WCBS 880 tells us that WABC/Channel 7 has changed their minds, due to overwhelming public outcry. We're told that "They got so many calls, it shut down their switchboard."

Photo of last night's test of the Tribute in Light by dietrich on flickr

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By tien mao on September 7, 2007 12:39 PM

Comments [rss]

guest

Find Out How the Neocons Staged a Terror Attack and Killed Thousands of Americans on 9/11.

Watch Martial Law 9/11

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6495462761605341661

"I think the very kindest thing that we can say about George W. Bush and all the people in the U.S. Government that have been involved in this massive cover-up, the very kindest thing we can say is that they were aware of impending attacks and let them happen. Now some people will say that's much too kind, however even that is high treason and conspiracy to commit murder." - Former Director of Advanced Space Programs Development under Presidents Ford and Carter.

http://patriotsquestion911.com

guest

ARFFur Jenkins, Manager, Cantor Fitzgerald

James RUFFerford, Account Representative, Pitney Bowes

MEOW-Lin Chu, Analyst, American Expresss

HISSSSSabella Rodriguez, Insurance Broker, Marsh Inc

guest

I think three years of it was about right, now it's just ridiculous.

remember they had the children read the names, then the parents, then the grandparents, then who else....

who's reading the list this year???? Politicians?

public school children? Pets of the deceased?

guest

It's been six years, I'm over it, and I DON'T want to hear the names anymore. Are these families going to insist on doing it forever? Past a certain point, they just become annoying.

Dan Dickinson

Because Regis & Kelly, Rachel Ray, and The View were going to be more of a ratings bonanza than covering the ceremony. Right.

guest

My husband died in July 2001. Do I expect anyone to read his name on TV every July? NO! It's my own private grief. Why do these 9/11 people think there sorrows are greater than anyone else's?

Tim N.

I suppose betting the under was a no-brainer, but still very dissapointing.

What I would say? Don't watch. Turn off the damn TV, and mark the day in whatever way is good FOR YOU. Go to church, go to the Trade Center, go to work and say a prayer, do what brings you comfort. But don't force your process on me, because my process is different from yours, and yours is different from mine, just as our experiences are different. Don't judge mine, and I won't judge yours. But don't impose yours on me, either.

There is no right or wrong way to remember, but many (most?) of us are moving on... which is its own tribute to the lost. So please don't let your tribute get in the way of ours.

guest

Does anyone else have the feeling that it is the same angry person who keeps reposting the same message in a slightly different way or are we really such a sorry lot here.

guest

no other country freaks out to this degree over anniversaries of tragic events. yes, it was tragic, yes, it was horrible, but it was 6 years ago. i agree that people need an opportunity to mourn, but it should not be so needlessly forced on those who just want to get on with it. everyone has tragedy in their lives.

Reality Czech

I guess ABC didn;t want to be labelled unpatriotic.

Enough of this bullshit already!

guest

First off, I hate WABC, they have a horrible newscast, and their programming is horrible. And all they care about is their ratings! Thats why I vote WABC the worst station in New York.

guest

i'm recording it, and i am going to use it as an a cappella over my entire DJ set tomorrow night.

guest

This country is getting so damn Pussified.

Move on already. I am tired of this grief being forced on the populace. It is not like it can't be watched on every other channel.

Morn in private like most well adjusted adults.

Sorry, but the people who died are victims, not heroes.

Heros do something above and beyond.

Getting killed in a tragedy does not qualify.

How long did the US go on reading the names of the people killed in the Pearl Harbor attack?

What about all the soldiers killed in all the wars...?

It is time to stop catering to the minority of whiners in this country.

So pathetic these people have to define themselves with the grief and loss of a loved one.

We all lose people we love. Some to tragic circumstances, some to natural causes.

These WTC whiners have no special monopoly on grief or loss.

guest

I am one of the people who will actually be there reading names on 9/11. I have no problem with ABC's decision not to air the ceremony, although I see they've taken that back. But still, not airing it would have been fine with me. I have zero problem with people who want nothing to do with the ceremony. Although I have to say, while I agree we need to move on, moving on and observing an anniversary are not mutually exclusive. Anyway, again, it's still a free country. Mostly. Kinda. For some of us. Don't go, observe in other ways, or don't observe at all.

Now I'm thinking I wish ABC hadn't reversed their decision, if only to avoid making people feel like this ritual is being forced on them. Except perhaps people who can't be there for the ceremony would like to participate remotely, and others can change the channel? (Not everyone has the ability to watch online.)

guest

ABC, a whimp it is.

guest

Do you think the families would be satisfied if we set aside an entire TV network to perpetually cover their grief? We can call it the 911 network and it could have a 24/7/365 ticker at the bottom of the screen scrolling the names of the dead.

Would that finally be enough??? Or how about 20-foot tall statues cast in gold of every victim? Maybe we can rename every street in America after a stockbroker who was taking a piss when he got hit by a plane. How about that?

guest

When are they going to read the names of all the Iraq's who have been killed since America invaded?

guest

How about a compromise?

Maybe they can read all the names on the 10th anniversary, 20th, 30th and so on...or televise on one channel dedicated entirely to the ceremony. It was a tragic day and it's a shame so many people died needlessly, but I think it's time to stop reading all the names...

The important thing is that we never forget what happened-- and that it doesn't happen again.

DCfist

This is truly a nation of perpetual tribute and maudlin sentiment. Amazing.

guest

They shouldn't have announced it in advance. They should've just not aired the reading. Yes, they would've caught some flak for it afterwards, but most people wouldn't have noticed. And of the ones that noticed, most wouldn't have cared.