Mez: DEFENDING GOSSIP -

Meredith Kercher Murder Case -

The young reporter Steve Shay has defended his reportage in the West Seattle Herald article referenced in my previous entry on this topic, but he hasn't been accused of any wrongdoing - at least not here.

Instead, to clarify, it is the responsibility of the editor to choose what is appropriate and what isn't. This is a case of editorial malfeasance, rather than journalistic error.

The reporter has "accurately" reported gossip which doesn't belong in the middle of a factual news article. Slyly sifting malicious gossip into a factual news article is not acceptable journalistic practice. And using weasel words to insulate the publication from culpability is not credible. Gossip belongs in a separate column, clearly identified as such.

Amanda Knox was intimate with a guy who is infatuated with vampires. Their supporters are trying to vilify the prosecutor, as if vampires are normative and anyone who doesn't agree to that standard has dubious sanity. This is blatantly ridiculous.

The Brits use the expression "Chinese whispers." In America, we often say: "He's a nice guy; too bad he drinks."

Trying to conduct a whispering campaign against the prosecutor cannot accomplish anything in this situation. The court would simply put someone else in place and the case would continue. The judge has already issued a long study of the situation. Even God can't make this case un-happen.

I understand the Knox family and their friends wanting to support Amanda Knox, but the West Seattle Herald newspaper has crossed a line which can only destroy its credibility.

Alas, the wacky world of
vampire fans has just gotten wackier.

:: "Mignini Sideshow" ::

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