“You have a bona fide story here. It’s the first
federal execution in nearly 40 years and
the biggest crime in U.S. history.” Story of McVeigh’s Death Gives Journalists Pause: ‘(M)any news people are grappling with the question of what exactly so many of them
will be doing in Terre Haute that morning (of May 16th). For even as a satellite-dish invasion of
the prison property begins later this week, producers and news executives say
they are determined to observe the solemnity of the occasion and keep it from
taking on a carnival atmosphere.

“There is nothing extravagant and nothing excessive,” said Phil Alongi, a senior
producer for NBC News in charge of logistics for Terre Haute, who nonetheless
will be sending 40 technicians, producers and reporters for it. “We’re trying to
be very sensitive to all the folks who will be affected. This is a very hard story to
cover: a person is dying. We’re not going to get into all that anchor booth stuff,
with the lighting and who has the most of what.” New York Times My prediction? Carnival atmosphere will prevail; the media circus is inevitable.