Did Nashville Station Cross the Line in Hostage Situation?
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WZTV in Nashville became part of the story as they helped police end a hostage situation.
Douglas Roach went into the Community First Bank & Trust and took hostages.
While he was inside the bank he was talking to the police and to the TV station.
Roach told the station that he wanted to share his story of alleged betrayal that had left him homeless and despondent. Roach says his intentions had nothing to do with robbery or hurting people. His intention was to shed light on what led him here.
Armed with a machete, Roach entered the bank around 2:45and 9 hours later he came out after police told him he could talk to WZTV.
Here is part of the text messages he exchanged with the station:
But, the Nashville station handed their gear over to police officers and let them pose as a TV crew. He was taken into custody just before midnight.
Of course, this is a slippery slope when TV stations become part of the long arm of the law.
This kind of action by TV stations has been debated for years and it will continue to be after this.
Would your station hand over your equipment to cops and let them posed as a TV crew using your gear?
We have opened up the comment box below to give your take. Was the station right in what they did? Or did they cross the line when they became part of law enforcement?
Leave your comment below, please be respectful and stay on topic.
