Posted on 08/31/2002 6:42:36 PM PDT by Michael2001
LAST WEEK'S controversial set of stories about suspected killers on the loose in Philadelphia yielded the arrest of two suspects this week - and much soul-searching in the Daily News newsroom.
We published those stories to help police and citizens rid city streets of murder suspects. And we are proud of the result.
We are just as proud of our journalists' ability in the past few days to critique our efforts. We can always get better at what we do.
One unintended outcome of our coverage was a week's worth of staff conversations, media interviews, phone calls and criticism. Through it all, Daily News staff members thoughtfully absorbed complaints from some African-Americans in Philadelphia who believe that our journalism was motivated by racial prejudice.
Every day, the Daily News publishes the equivalent of a short novel. And while we try our best to get it all perfect, we sometimes fail.
The cover of our paper last Thursday carried mugshots of 15 of 41 suspects. They were African-American, Hispanic or Asian. These 41 were identified by the Police Department's Homicide Unit as suspects for whom murder warrants have been issued. There were no white people who were being sought for murder.
Would we do a story again about 41 fugitives wanted for murder by the Philadelphia Police Department?
Absolutely.
Would we do it differently?
Absolutely.
The front page photos from last Thursday sent the message to some readers that only black men commit murder. That was a mistake.
In addition, the stories didn't address a key question: Why are there no white suspects on the loose? That also was a mistake.
Our first story should have looked harder at this question. The Daily News apologizes for the error.
Editor Zack Stalberg is fond of saying that there is no paper in Philadelphia that cares more for the people of this city - whether they are African-American or any other race - than the Daily News.
We choose stories that we believe will help make the community better, such as this story, which has yielded two arrests so far.
We are passionate in this mission.
I love Stalberg's saying that everything we do - whether it makes certain corners of our city happy or sad - is done by a staff and an institution with "a pounding heart."
We thank you for your criticisms of our work. We promise we will use these comments to do our work more thoroughly and thoughtfully. And we pledge to continue to be true to that pounding heart that beats for the good of all Philadelphians.
In addition, the stories didn't address a key question: Why are there no white suspects on the loose? That also was a mistake.
Our first story should have looked harder at this question. The Daily News apologizes for the error.
Time to bring back Little Nicky Scarfo.
America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
New Link: Download 8 Mb zip file here (60 minute video)
White kids will just become discouraged that they are unlikely to realize their NBA dreams because they have the wrong skin color.
Gee, why is that Mr. Reporter, oracle of all that is good and righteous?
There were no white people who were being sought for murder.
Asked and answered-What a bunch of dumbasses...
"The front page photos from last Thursday sent the
message to some readers that only black men commit murder.
"In addition, the stories didn't address a key question:
"Why are there no white suspects on the loose?
"There were no white people who were being sought for murder.
"The Daily News apologizes for the error. "
So9
This fact is the reason middle class whites (and many middle class blacks) want to move away from predominantly black neighborhoods---not because of any irrational bigotry against skin color as is often charged.
Which sort of says there is nothing irrational about it.
I happen to be reading Bernard Goldberg's "BIAS" at the moment. I just finished the chapter, "I Thought Our Job Was To Tell the Truth". It sums up pretty well how political correctness has run amok in the news business.
Goldberg cites the example of a reporter named Larry Doyle who was sent by CBS Evening News to do a piece on chain gangs in Alabama. The boss at the time, one Al Berman, was incensed when Doyle came back with footage of a gang in which all but one of the prisoners was white. It was aired before the censors (senior producers) could manipulate it to represent the party line.
~excerpt~
"I shot what was there," Doyle told Berman. Berman told Doyle to be "more careful" next time. To get more pictures of white criminals "next time".
The conversation was idiotic as far as Doyle was concerned. There was just ONE WHITE CRIMINAL. What was he supposed to do? This was Alabama, for chrissake! Not (bleeping) Switzerland!"
Hey, Daily News: You're in Philadelphia, not friggin' Switzerland!!
Behind each and every single name, after the address and age, is the word "black" or "white." Works for me.
I keep waiting for these two sick mouthpieces for the DNC to just fold and go away, but I suppose they will merge first. Boy, won't that be a treat.
"There were no white people who were being sought for murder"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.