CNN’s Brian Stelter: Media “Overreacted” To Boston Marathon Bombings

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN HOST: . . . Brian, the kind of coverage that the media obviously is not going to change; I would predict that it’s going to be like this for some time to come and that’s partly why journalists are as admired as lawyers and car salesmen. And I apologize to lawyers and car salesmen. So what’s the answer?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Well partly, it is to seek out a variety of sources. I remember when I read about Glenn Beck’s comments, about that Saudi national, I was curious about him. So I was able to search other sources and you know it turned out a week and a month later. Places like Media Matters [certainly a source that would never steer anyone away from facts, right?] reminded us that Glenn Beck seemed to be wrong about that one.

You know this might be an unpopular opinion, but I wonder if the press overall in retrospect overreacted to the attacks in Boston. It was a very scary week. I was scared along with the rest of the country.

In retrospect I wonder if there was an overreaction in the press because considering the relatively low — low number of deaths [what number would be acceptable as being media worthy?!] and injuries. Now whether it was taken out of proportion, given all the other violence we see all the time. Because the word “terrorism” was applied, I think there may have been an overreaction for that reason. [So again, what kind of reaction would have been acceptable? I wonder, do these people grow old and cringe at the memories of the things they’ve said?]

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