February 1, 2007

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Recently a Sacramento radio station held a contest for a video game console. The contestants had to drink as much water as possible without using the restroom. One woman died. Do you think the disk jockeys and/or the radio station should be held criminally or financially responsible?
(Asked at Starbucks)

“No, I don’t think so. They have these contests all the time where people have to do silly things, but it was her choice to do the contest. Maybe they should help financially. If nothing else this contest will have educated people [against overdoing things].”

Penny Decker, 40ish
Almaden
Homemaker/part-time student


“No, I truly don’t think either should be responsible. It’s a little bit hard to believe that the station would have gone forward with the contest if they had known the consequences. It was a tragic accident, and people should learn from it.”

Kim Chortek, 46
Almaden
Retired attorney


“If the contestants signed a release form then the station shouldn’t have to take responsibility. People need to take responsibility for their own actions. If the station was dealing with young people or adolescents that were not yet mature, then it’s a different story.”

Mary Vittone, 55
Almaden
Unemployed


“I think yes, it would have been wise to let them know the consequences. The general public is typically not well informed of health risks."

Caroline Will
Cambrian/works in Almaden
Software sales


“Yes they should. If the station used releases it minimizes the damage, but it was a pretty stupid contest.”

Matt Wahlin, 52
San Jose/works in Almaden
Software sales


“Yes, they have a responsibility to make sure the stunts they do are reasonably safe.”

Eric Baggiolini, 40
Almaden
Closet organizing business


“The issue is whether the ratio station should have realized the contest was dangerous. If they fully disclosed the consequences then the station should not be held liable. If they didn’t fully disclose them and knew there was a risk, then the station is civilly responsible.”

Merle Kahn-Samuelson, 45
Almaden
Attorney


“At the very least, the station is financially responsible because I think we need to be held accountable for our actions. Obviously, what happened was not anticipated. It’s a terrible tragedy, and it shouldn’t happen again.”

Vicki Rieger, 61
Almaden
Executive assistant


“No, I think she should have known better, and she should have been more aware of the consequences. The station should have warned people.”

Molly Bowman, 16
Almaden
Junior at Leland


“That’s a good question, but I think that people do things of their own free will.”

Valerie Genco, 45
Almaden / Sales