Anatomy of a Skewed News Story

[pepperbear]

http://www.wapt.com/r/28799539/detail.html

There is another post here on DU, but I wanted to find a local report. This is just poor journalism, and I think it's meant to skew opinion about racism and it's role in the killing. I'm even willing to bet that they're trying to influence opinion of the suspects' guilt.

For this one sentence alone, I call BS:

"The charges stem from a June 26 argument between Dedmon, Rice and Anderson in front of a hotel on Ellis Avenue."

First, they have the audacity to frame assault and murder as an "argument."

My armchair analysis is this: They were looking for a random black person to assault. They drove almost 20 minutes to find someone. They didn't know Anderson, and the video I've seen would indicate that the suspects jumped out and started accosting him without provocation. By couching it as an "argument," it implies that words were exchanged and then things got physical. If you're so inclined, you might even start wondering what Anderson did to provoke the suspects. Also, the way it's phrased: "stem from a june 26 argument....." that's the date of the actual murder, yet by phrasing it this way, it sounds like an argument had occurred at some earlier time and place, as if the suspects and Anderson had known each other, as if Anderson weren't so random after all.

The rest of the story is about CNNs "controversial" coverage, complete with reports on the thoughts and opinions of people who weren't witness and who have no connection to the case.

I am certain that many will not see it this way, but I don't think this was meant to be a neutral account regarding the Hate Crime aspect of this case.

[Blue_Tires]

1. yeah, it's lazy reporting (but the norm for little local affiliates)

and adding random facebook comments is even worse....