“All of these children, they need a chance to be happy,” said Maria Ruggiero, an employee at the Village Perk Cafe, speaking of the town’s children. “This constant reminder of sadness, it needs to stop. That’s why we want the media to stay away.”

Normally, the first anniversary of such a tragedy would draw hordes of journalists, as happened with the mass killings at Aurora, Colo., and Virginia Tech. And each year since the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, there has been extensive, live coverage by the news media as the names of the dead are read at a solemn ceremony in downtown Manhattan.

But at least two TV networks — NBC and ABC — say they have no plans to dispatch fully equipped crews through Newtown that day. One TV executive said that parents had urged his network to stay away because children were still suffering from anxiety, and the sight of TV vans triggered reminders of the shootings.

“NBC News is respecting the town’s wishes and our broadcasts have no plans to be in Newtown for the anniversary,” said Erika Masonhall, a spokeswoman for the network.

CBS News plans to be there, though it has already been turned down for some spots to park trucks.

“Our goal is to have the smallest footprint possible,” said Tim Gaughan, director of special events for CBS News. “We don’t want to be intrusive, but we’re confident we can report the story and not get in the way.”