How much should public hear of Pickton case?

NEW GLASGOW - There should be a limit on what details from the Robert Pickton trial are released to the public, says a mass media professor.

Patricia Cormak, a sociology of mass media professor at St. Francis Xavier University, says in her opinion the public doesn't need to know all of the gory details of the Robert Pickton case. She said to make the more graphic details of the case available to the public is "disrespectful" to the families and friends of the victims.

"We know that these women's' families, friends and relatives will be reading this or be subject to it. The harm is already there in the details," she said.

Besides, Cormak said coverage of the case may be more effective to the public if some of the graphic details remain a mystery.

Ever since the media ban on the case was lifted, questions have been raised as to how much detail is too much. Essentially, does the media have to draw a line, and if so, where?

Cormak said some media outlets will censor themselves for fear of being labeled exploitative, but she added readers will make their own decisions on what to consume and what to avoid.

"Consumers won't consume what they don't want to. Consumers are aware of the notion of exploitation."

Bernadette MacDonald, the director of the Pictou County Women's Centre, agrees that there should be a limit. She fears that some media may sensationalize the story.

"We don't need to parade it; we don't need to sensationalize it any more than it has already been."

MacDonald said she has already heard more sordid details about the case than she wanted to know. She said people can be informed without being told of the graphic nature of the crimes Pickton is accused of committing.

But not everyone is siding with Cormak and MacDonald. Some Pictou County residents say the media has a responsibility to release all details of the case to the public, regardless of how graphic it may be.

Husband and wife Bill and Rhon Lucas of Pictou debated over the subject.

"All the details should be right front and centre for everybody to see, because that's something we never want to have happen again in this country," Bill said.

Rhon nodded in agreement, but countered that "there are some things that don't need to be explained."

But her husband was quick to respond as he said in his opinion there can't possibly be such a thing as too much coverage.

"I know what you're saying," he said, "but I think you have to let the public know that that is what's going on."

Meanwhile, Jane Gauthier of Trenton said she believes the public has become so desensitized to violence that many people will be able to handle the graphic details of the case.

"There's so much violence, like we see it in the movies, but it's happening in real life, and it's happening here in Canada."