So, the media should not report the arrest of collegiate athletes on a
nationally recognized, high-profile program? Excuse me? What policy is
this? Raise your hand if you believe in censorship. Unbelievable. While
I'm sure a lot of people would just love this incident to be swept neatly
and quietly under the rug, it just can't - nor should it be. The police
made arrests. Charges were filed. People are going to court to answer to
assault charges. This is serious stuff. These are also facts that the
public has a right to know. The public deserves to know. And the media has
a responsibility to find and report the truth. Granted, some outlets take
this responsibility more serious than others. However, slamming the media
for how it can distort the truth is one thing. But to say the media has no
right to report on this incident is completely and utterly absurd. 

--- james acheson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> The very fact that they have reported an arrest rather than a conviction
> is what bothers me.
>    
>   As I think I stated, the boys were arrested not because of a fist
> fight, but because there was an injury, and an allegation that a foot
> was used to make the injury.  (fist fights, not in the presece of a
> police officer are not arrestable offenses.  The injury (whether it was
> caused by the fight or by something else) plus the allegation of deadly
> force can lead to a warrantless arrest).  
>    
>   There was an arrest, as you said, but not based on fact, but based on
> allegations.
>    
>   People who read the paper are going to assume guilt based on the
> arrest.  PLUS because the baseball player was not arrested, people are
> going to assume that he was completely innocent.  That is why I said
> that I not in favor of this sort of freedom of the press.  
> 
>   
> Deron Treadwell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>           Guys.. there may be many cases of "over zealous" press, but
> this isn't one of them.  I'd be curious to know exactly what they have
> done that is so wrong here?  Because the way I see it the press has
> simply done its job here.
>    
>   In fact the press is not at fault here at all -- it is the people who
> read it.  The press has presented what happened and from the news
> accounts (not to be confused with columns like the Steve Solloway column
> I posted) I've read its been pretty "matter-of-fact".  The press has
> reported that Hamilton and Clark were arrested (true).  They have
> reported the details of the story as given to them (by police and
> witnesses) and reported as such.  They have reported the suspensions
> (true) and done follow-ups with approrpriate people (Blake James) to see
> where things stand. 
>   
> I'm not in Orono.. are they camped out on Hamilton and Clark's lawn? 
> Are they following the victim and the players to their classes or
> waiting for them in the bushes after practice? Did the networks bring
> their trucks and do their 6:00 news from Washburn or the Alfond?
>    
>   Everyone knows that the media does step over the line.  But in
> fairness that is not the case here from where I sit and from what I've
> read (granted I'm in Maine, but not in Orono).  If you want to be upset
> with someone, be upset with those who interpret and condemn based on the
> presumption of guilt -- but to date the media is reporting what they
> know and that is their job.
>    
>   -Deron
>    
>     I agree totally with you about the over zealous press and its more
> or less permanent contamination of public opinion.  Very well said!  
>   
> 
> 
> 		
> ---------------------------------
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