Media accused at Duke forum
Some in audience contend coverage in rape case was unfair
by LEIGH DYER, Charlotte Observer Oct. 21, 2006
DURHAM - At a panel discussion among journalists who have covered rape accusations against the Duke men's lacrosse team, some audience members accused the media of botching their coverage.
"You screwed up the story!" one man shouted.
In March, a black exotic dancer accused white members of the Duke lacrosse team of raping her at a team party. Three players have been indicted. The case has generated racially charged debate and accusations of a botched investigation.
During a public question-and-answer session with the panel Friday, some in the crowd, which included parents of team members, suggested the media bear some responsibility for the course of the case.
"Never once did any of you presume the chance of innocence before you went after those boys," one woman said, prompting denials from members of the panel, which included representatives from ESPN, Newsweek and the Raleigh and Durham newspapers.
John Drescher, managing editor of the Raleigh News & Observer (which is owned by the same company as the Charlotte Observer), defended his paper's coverage.
"If you look at it from beginning to end, I stand by it," he said.
Most panelists said they would have done some things differently. Bob Ashley, editor of the Durham Herald-Sun, said early news stories didn't ask enough questions about the care taken in the police investigation.
Several parents of team members attended the event wearing blue and white buttons reading "Innocent until proven innocent."
"I find it shocking and upsetting that there was a rush to judgment," said one of the women wearing the buttons, who declined to give her name.
Observer staff writer Leigh Dyer is a Duke alumna.
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/15813491.htm
* It seems The Chronicle alumni journalists still don't get it. Or do they? What are they hiding?
John Drescher, managing editor of the Raleigh News & Observer (which is owned by the same company as the Charlotte Observer), defended his paper's coverage.
"If you look at it from beginning to end, I stand by it," he said.
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First thought was the N & O is still in denial. Now I believe they are covering their asse(t)s, pending lawsuits from LAX players.
I am not well versed in the property sales in Trinity Park.
Was this a dealmaker for the property sales or had Duke been planning on this all along?
I guess need to do some homework at the deed database.