BillHobbs.com - Blogging about politics and media from Nashville.

October 24, 2007

Media Myths and the Jena 6

Craig Franklin, assistant editor of The Jena Times, says the national media got the Jena 6 story horribly wrong, and he exposes the media myths one by one in a powerful indictment of bad journalism run amok...

By now, almost everyone in America has heard of Jena, La., because they've all heard the story of the "Jena 6." White students hanging nooses barely punished, a schoolyard fight, excessive punishment for the six black attackers, racist local officials, public outrage and protests - the outside media made sure everyone knew the basics.

There's just one problem: The media got most of the basics wrong. In fact, I have never before witnessed such a disgrace in professional journalism. Myths replaced facts, and journalists abdicated their solemn duty to investigate every claim because they were seduced by a powerfully appealing but false narrative of racial injustice.

I should know. I live in Jena. My wife has taught at Jena High School for many years. And most important, I am probably the only reporter who has covered these events from the very beginning.

The reason the Jena cases have been propelled into the world spotlight is two-fold: First, because local officials did not speak publicly early on about the true events of the past year, the media simply formed their stories based on one-side's statements – the Jena 6. Second, the media were downright lazy in their efforts to find the truth. Often, they simply reported what they'd read on blogs, which expressed only one side of the issue.

The real story of Jena and the Jena 6 is quite different from what the national media presented. It's time to set the record straight.

Franklin predicts that, "as with the Duke Lacrosse case, the truth about Jena will eventually be known." But the town of Jena "isn't expecting any apologies from the media," he says. "They will probably never admit their error and have already moved on to the next 'big' story. Meanwhile in Jena, residents are getting back to their regular routines, where friends are friends regardless of race. Just as it has been all along."

Comments

"Instead, according to Walters, "two or three girls, white girls, were chit-chatting on their cellphones or playing with their cellphones right in the middle of my dissertation. I got a little irritated at them and said, 'Pay attention to me. I am right now having to deal with an aggravated rape case where I've got to decide whether the death penalty applies or not.' I said, 'Look, I can be your best friend or your worst enemy. With the stroke of a pen I can make your life miserable so I want you to call me before you do something stupid.'"

This makes no sense at all. What's he saying? He's going to prosecute 2 or 3 white highschool girls for rape for talking on the phone? Nothing like inviting the local DA down to the school to calm the waters, have him lose it and start making nonsensical threats.

"the crudely constructed nooses were not aimed at black students. Instead, they were understood to be a prank by three white students aimed at their fellow white friends, members of the school rodeo team. (The students apparently got the idea from watching episodes of "Lonesome Dove.")"

This also makes no sense. "Lonesome Dove" aired in 1989 and while it's been in re-release over the years it's not likely anybody would make the connection between nooses and that movie. If it was all just a big misunderstanding then why didn't the school officials bring all sides together and explain that instead of letting this animosity fester?

"the jury selection process was completely legal and withstood an investigation by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division."

George Bush's Justice Department? Hahahahahahaha! That's funny.

"Actually, Jena is a wonderful place to live for both whites and blacks."

Actually Jena sounds like a awful place for both whites and blacks.

Posted by: markg8 at October 24, 2007 4:24 PM

Let's see how many local Jena black folks are willing to back Franklin up shall we? I'm sure if racial relations are as wonderful in Jena as he says they'll be coming out of the woodwork anytime now to hold hands with him and sing kumbaya won't they?

Posted by: markg8 at October 24, 2007 4:47 PM

I bet that markg8 is a defender of Mike Nifong as well. Quick, call the Justice Brothers, markg8.

Posted by: Roger M at October 25, 2007 7:50 AM