Jena 6 Another Media fueled untruth?

Question

I was just reading a story on the Jena 6 case and after all of the media coverage it once again seems that the media jumped the gun reporting facts that were not true or incomplete at least about the case. Why do people trust the media when this seems to be the case in most instances.

Examples:

It was widely reported that Bell, now 17, was an honor student with no prior criminal record. Although he had a high grade-point average, he was, in fact, on probation for at least two counts of battery and a count of criminal damage to property. In any event, his conviction was overturned because an appeals court ruled he should not have been tried as an adult.)

The so-called "white tree" at Jena High, often reported to be the domain of only white students, was nothing of the sort, according to teachers and school administrators; students of all races, they say, congregated under it at one time or another.

Two nooses — not three — were found dangling from the tree. Beyond being offensive to blacks, the nooses were cut down because black and white students "were playing with them, pulling on them, jump-swinging from them, and putting their heads through them," according to a black teacher who witnessed the scene.

There was no connection between the September noose incident and December attack, according to Donald Washington, an attorney for the U.S. Justice Department in western Louisiana, who investigated claims that these events might be race-related hate crimes.

_The three youths accused of hanging the nooses were not suspended for just three days — they were isolated at an alternative school for about a month, and then given an in-school suspension for two weeks.

The six-member jury that convicted Bell was, indeed, all white. However, only one in 10 people in LaSalle Parish is African American, and though black residents were selected randomly by computer and summoned for jury selection, none showed up.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070922/ap_on_re_us/a_place_called_jena

how many times have you heard the media state there was an all white jury comared to how many times you have heard them finish saying that it was becuase none of the one's selected showed up.

It is a huge difference, but once again It just shows media reporting only the facts they rhink will make a big selling story.

Answer 1

True dat!

You could go on to point out the inconsistencies in the reporting on the 4 on 1 confrontation in the store parking lot...often reported as a 3 on 1 because only 3 of the 4 were charged. Or the situation at the Barn Party where uninvited guests attempted to crash the party...then started a fight when they were refused entry...and that a white student was the only one charged in that altercation.

Let's not forget the media's decision to usually omit the "unsolved" Jena situations...the white student who was blindsided (hit from behind in the back of the head requiring stitches) just days after the 2 nooses were hung...and oh yea...someone set a portion of the school on fire...but since they can't villify a particular racial group...it doesn't make headlines.

You're 100% correct...if it isn't controversial, incendiary, or otherwise sensational...you're not likely to hear it from a major news outlet...sad but true!

Answer 2

this could all be a smoke screen to get the "hate crime" bill passed, which does not really stick up for this type of crime but is geared mostly to promote the homosexuality movement. In the bill it states that people can be charged with crimes for even their thoughts, the absurd thing is that they will actually try to convict people of crimes they think that they might be thinking of. This country is so messed up it is not even funny at all. And yes the media is guilty of what you said and more. All it is a another way to divide and conquer. If they keep us busy fighting they can sneak more stupid laws past us like the "Homeland Security" and "Patriot Act" these sound harmless enough but have you ever read any of it? It is mind boggling how many of our freedoms have been taken and how many more are still being snatched out from under us. God help us all.

Answer 3

When minorities commit a barbaric violent attack the media often tries to find a way to blame the white victim instead of the minority criminals. If members of the media were forced to accept for themselves the standard they try to force on us then everyone offended by anyone in the media would have an excuse for beating the next reporter they saw.
The media is taking the same approach to muslim terrorism, especially when committed against Jews. We must wake up to the dangers of this liberal diversity centered practice of the media and condemn the real villians, those who commit violence against innocents, and nor care what race or religion they are.

Answer 4

Yeap, the media has become a cyst pool of inaccurate information. The standard for getting the facts straight has plummeted. But, there is a new show called “Star Jones” and Mz. Star gets the facts right by the letter of the law.

Answer 5

I agree with all of you on this case. The media doesnt take the time and arent willing to tell all the facts because the want controversy for ratings.

Answer 6

the media wants to get the ratings they dont care who they hurt to get it . they try to play the race crap all the time and we wonder why we cant all get along . oh i got to go i left some rope on my truck that i tied down a bed with i need to remove it so i dont offend any one i dont want to go to jail

Answer 7

The media and America's two most prominent racists, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, have created this firestorm all for the sake of sensationalism and pubic influence.