GMA Hosts Argue Over Calling Caught-on-Tape Robber 'Alleged'

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Flying pig alert! GMA host Harris strikes blow against political correctness. Refuses to call caught-on-tape robber “alleged.”

Ping to Liberal Media Criticism list.

[Gay State Conservative]

I always thought that reporters and commentators used “alleged” to avoid libel/slander lawsuits.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Yes, but when there is such hard evidence, is it really necessary?

[Bryanw92]

>>Yes, but when there is such hard evidence, is it really necessary?

It shouldn’t be necessary, but it is as long as there is one lawyer left who would take the case to try and get a quick settlement.

[nuconvert]

Obviously, Harris needs to go to re-education camp

[Ditter]

“Alleged” is the wrong word to use. Another wrong word that I hear all the time in this same situation is “gentleman”.

“The gentleman robbed the store and then he cut everyone’s head off”!

DUDE. If he robbed a store and cut off someone’s head he isn't a gentleman!!!

[rktman]

Well in some cases, yes. In other cases such as the stand off in Oregon, there is little doubt that the squatters are guilty and the full force of the military should be brought to take them out. Now, if it were the occupy assclowns or blm’rs (the other blm), they’d simply be trying to make a point about justice and equality and it would all be hunky dorey.

[gusty]

The notion of innocent until proven guilty, thus the “alleged” applies only to the court room. Everybody outside the courtroom has no obligation to adhere to it. I as an individual can freely state my opinion if someone is guilty or not before a verdict is rendered in a court room. If someone is under investigation or indictment would not have a leg to stand on to sue someone for libel. The fact that someone is suspected by legally constituted organs would be an iron clad defense against libel.

[bert]

yes but they can still have a shyster lawyer come to them and offer money from the extortion effort against the non alleged user.

[Hot Tabasco]

Richard Allensworth Jewell (born Richard White;[1] December 17, 1962 – August 29, 2007) was an American police officer who, while working as a security guard for Piedmont College,[2] became known in connection with the Centennial Olympic Park bombing at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Discovering a backpack filled with three pipe bombs on the park grounds, Jewell alerted police and helped to evacuate the area before the bomb exploded, saving many people from injury or death. Initially hailed by the media as a hero, Jewell was later considered a suspect. Jewell's case is considered an example of the damage that can be done by reporting based on unreliable or incomplete information.[3]

Despite never being charged, he underwent a "trial by media" with great toll on his personal and professional life. Jewell was eventually completely exonerated,

[marktwain]

I want to see George Zimmerman get a settlement on the false information that was put out about him.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

DUDE. If he robbed a store and cut off someone’s head he isn't a gentleman!!!

Yes, how would a gentleman cut off someone's head? With both pinkies extended, and a proper "by-your-leave"?

Language has taken a real beating in the past fifty years.

[glennaro]

“Alleged” is a legal term, properly used in a court of law and by law enforcement authorities under the theory of “innocent until proven guilty”. Used outside the courtroom, it often sounds ridiculous.

[John W]

Amen. The thinking against such should have clinton as part of the name as it was worn out during his presidency.

[DNME]

In journalism school we were taught to always use “alleged” until there is a guilty verdict in court.

Otherwise, the perp could sue for libel because you “convicted” him of the crime without legal justification and that hurts his reputation.

Disregard all the ironclad proof you might have, up to and including a confession, because everything and anything can be thrown out in court.

[G Larry]

The guy on tape IS the robber.

The guy in jail is “alleged”, until it’s proven that he’s the guy on tape.

[PLMerite]

“Another wrong word that I hear all the time in this same situation is “gentleman”.”

I think “gentleman” is - or started out as, at least - an exaggerated euphemism since they can’t say “scum-sucking [bleep]sucker on the air without losing their license.

[BenLurkin]

Who is Allen Iverson?

[T-Bird45]

Who is Allen Iverson?

Practice?