Turning Opinions Into "Facts"
While quantifying the monumental damage done by a highly slanted opinion piece disguised as a factual investigative report is difficult, it is safe to assume that the larger the mouth the greater the damage becomes. With yesterday’s piece from the New York Times, we have an unwanted opportunity to examine just how quickly and widely tainted information can spread. Shortly after the article by Duff Wilson & Co. appeared, it was picked up by the AP and distributed to, among other outlets, WRAL in North Carolina making the misinformation readily available to the Durham jury pool under the headline of:
Report: Police Notes Bolster Prosecution Of Duke Lacrosse Case
The WRAL article and accompanying video based in part on the AP report of the NY Times propaganda informs helpless readers that:
Notes made by a Durham police sergeant investigating a rape allegation against Duke University lacrosse players support criminal charges filed against three players in the case, a published report said Friday. Two New York Times reporters reviewed more than 1,800 pages of evidence that Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong turned over to lawyers representing the three players. Although the reporters found inconsistencies and gaps in the prosecution's case, they said notes taken by Sgt. Mark Gottlieb are part of "a body of evidence to support (Nifong's) decision to take the matter to a jury."
As if publication in the New York Times was not enough to convert transparent opinions into distorted, apology painted facts, the AP distribution of reports based on this article continues to perpetuate the public fraud.
It is unfortunate the general public can not trust media giants such as the New York Times and the AP to present facts as facts and opinions as opinions. For an indication of how quickly this misinformation spreads and how significantly it sways people’s thoughts one need look no further than the NY Times’ own blog. Encouraged to comment on Duff’s farticle, several readers reveal not only the lack of genuine information made available to them by the Times but also the effectiveness of Duff & Co.’s attempts to fan the flames of racial and socio-economic bias. Thankfully, many other readers reveal that they were not fooled despite the Times efforts.
Link to New York Times Blog
Link to New York Times Blog
6 comments:
I would ask our readers to do this service...for Collin, Reade and Dave.
Hold your nose and jump into those hell-holes of hate and post a word of reason and support for the boys.
Be sure to leave them links to this blog and our comrades in the blogosphere listed to your right.
We've seen blogs bring down the mighty before.
We're waiting here, you NYT propaganda puppets.
BRING IT ON.
It’s amazing how just by claiming a person to be a “mother” puts a “halo” on her head. Feminist claim that some women have no other option to provide for herself and her children which paints a picture of a selfless martyr, but this is misleading especially regarding this particular “single mom”. This single mom and her children live with their grandfather so the threat of being homeless or hungry is unlikely. This single mom has been arrested in for larceny and evading police, which doesn’t fit the mold of “martyr”. This single mom arrived at the party inebriated and was found drunk and disorderly in a parking lot, but looking at this woman as an individual instead of a sexist stereotype reveals a more realistic picture of this single mom which dims her halo.
Feminist go on to rant that criticizing this woman “hinges on blaming the victim”. This single mom is not a victim. This single mom is an “accuser”. There’s enough evidence to question her integrity and whether a crime actually occurred. I find it hypocritical that feminist so easily gives this “single mom” the benefit of the doubt while condemning a group of boys who happen to be on a sports team. People should avoid stereotypes and focus on each individual, including the “accuser”, as a person.
The actions of District Attorney Mike Nifong have been reckless and irresponsible in playing out this case before the national media. This has inflamed racial stereotypes throughout Durham which makes it more important that everyone take a step back and let the police do their job. If this woman lied; thus exposing Nifong as a fool, then she should be prosecuted for this crime, which have destroyed these young boys’ lives and reputations. Being a “single mom” shouldn’t be an excuse to condone this type of behavior.
So we ask the question, how was Gottlieb able to take three pages of handwritten notes and manufacture 33 pages of typewritten notes? Intrepid Judge Ronald Stephens actually facilitated the hoax, it seems. In our discussion over on Free Republic this morning uncovered the fact that Stephens refused to grant Osborn's motion to turn Gottlieb's notes to the DA, thereby making them available to discovery.
Translated, he was able to keep the notes and massage his 33 page report as needed to plug the prosecution holes. An important component of this is that we were able to figure this out only after consulting the video tape. The NandO and WRAL stories missed that important point.
Which brings up Smith's TV blackout ruling. Very, very dangerous. The press cannot be depend upon to get the story right, so the court reporter becomes the weakest link in telling the story of what happens in the courtroom. I would prefer to see for myself, thank you very much...
Walter Abbott
Nifong is a Democrat and The New York Times supports Democrats. What is justice when politics is more important?
To Collin, Reade and David,
We have spent hundreds and hundreds of hours to support your innocence and will work as long and hard as it takes to achieve that goal.
We are also spending countless hours uncovering the reckless irresponsible reporting and outright lies and manipulation by Nifong and his Agenda.
Just remember though we may not be able to see you, we are right by your side.
Sincerely,
Arden Brooks
The NYT tells us:
"Outside experts say it is possible for a rapist to leave no DNA evidence."
Does the NYT think this guy should not have been set free?
Man Exonerated After 22 Years in Prison Adjusting to New-Found Freedom
Date:
Thursday, July 13, 2006 By: Leonard Greene,
Special to BlackAmericaWeb.com
It's been one stop after another for freed inmate Alan Newton, who was released from prison last week after 22 years in jail for a crime he did not commit.
After a week of parties, picnics and public appearances, Newton, a former bank teller from the Bronx, is adjusting to life on the outside after DNA testing cleared him in the vicious rape and beating of a Bronx woman whose shaky identification sent him away for nearly half his life. DNA from Newton that was compared to a sperm sample recovered as evidence after the rape showed conclusively that Newton had nothing to do with the brutal attack.
--http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/newton713
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