The presumption of innocence…is the principle that one is considered innocent until proven guilty.
Scanning through my news feed this morning, I saw a raw video posted by a local news station, claiming a “strong reaction” from a defendant’s mother outside the courtroom.
This is more than a “strong reaction,” folks, but I put the guilt (for now) on the new station. The news reporter (Sarah Bloom) disrespected this family, ignored their dignity and tried to make up a story. Sorry, the story wasn’t there.
Upon hearing more of the story, reading reactions online and hearing first-hand accounts from some who know the defendant, I was struck by this local new station’s ignorance of the Presumption of Innocence and the overall assumption of guilt by anyone who read the story but knew nothing about the situation.
Without the facts of the trial, this new organization (and any others who have reported the story) has effectively destroyed the reputation of someone who may not be guilty.
Perhaps he will be found guilty, at which time reporting of facts can be told.
Let the court decide.
Local news organizations are in a fight for page views and clicks, and have sensationalized so much of what they report. The Facebook page of this news station will crush your view of humanity. It’s disgusting.
Yet they continue. On and on they go, trying to get a few more viewers, more clicks, and more ignorant, disrespectful comments.
Here’s to all who find another way.
Here’s to all who seek to find, report and tell about the good of humanity. Those are the reporters worth listening to. Find one.
Maybe NBC12 will learn to treat people with dignity one day, but dignity doesn’t get more pageviews, does it?
I have not posted the link to the story or the news station. With more attention, more clicks and more pageviews, NBC12 wins. Would you like to respond? Contact them directly at NBC12, P.O. Box 12, Richmond, VA 23218, (804) 230-1212. And in case you’re wondering, dignity can get you more pageviews.
