Viewers’ Voice 6 p.m. Monday April 28

By John Carlin
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: April 28, 2008

Our first caller thinks we are protecting Virginia Tech’s interest with our story selection.

(Phone)
I have noticed there is certainly bias on your coverage of Virginia Tech.  If there is something good to say about Tech ... You bring it up in every single newscast.  But if there is something bad, like the lawsuits that are being held ... Then you never mention it.  I’ve been watching the news since the lawsuits were announced and I haven’t heard it mentioned one time....
Bea smith

WSLS responds: Thanks for the comment.  Please know that we cover the good with the bad at Tech.  An example this week is the story of the man visiting campus this week who sold the gun to Seung Hui Cho.  But you mentioned the lawsuits.  Our records show 6 different stories on that topic, including this one which aired on the 17th it reads..."There were 48 notices of possible lawsuits over the shootings at Virginia Tech have been filed with the state. The deadline to file was yesterday.” Again this aired on April 17.

On a similar topic, another caller says:

(Phone)
I am appalled at the free publicity that is being given to this scallywag who sold the guns to the shooter at Virginia Tech ... He shouldn’t even be allowed on the campus, and he certainly shouldn’t be getting free publicity.  He feels no responsibility; he just wants to sell more guns.  And you people are giving him free publicity.  Please stop it.

Betty Hosp
Roanoke

But another viewer wonders if a gun dealer is any worse than other’s invited to speak on campus…

(e-mail)
... Gun ownership is a hallmark of American life ... I’m sure the university has communist speakers, pro-abortion speakers (and) anti-war speakers…