Attackers deserve no sympathy

The recent school attacks are appalling. In the latest incident, a knife-wielding man entered a kindergarten in a township in Shaanxi province and stabbed to death at least seven children and two adults. It's heart-breaking to see innocent children killed.

Many people have tried to find what lies behind these killing frenzies. Some people's first reaction is to blame the media. But the media has a social responsibility to cover such occurrences. Critics argue that by sensationalizing the tragedies and reporting the bloody details and exposing how the murderer has been unfairly treated, the media induce copycat crimes. But on the other hand, if the media don't cover such incidents or write just a few words, the dead children's parents have no way to vent their anger and the public's right to information would not be satisfied. Under such circumstances, rumors would arise and conflicts would emerge.

The media tailor their angles in line with their social responsibility. But local authorities of the places where the incidents happen should not congratulate themselves that they have avoided being criticized by the media. If local officials don't publicize the causes of these cases and have thorough investigations, it will damage their credibility and turn society against them.