More N&O Duke lacrosse reporting bias

Raleigh News & Observer exec editor for news Melanie Sill continues to avoid serious discussion of the paper's much criticized Duke lacrosse reporting.

Sill's done what she often does: fall back on the old "Gee, we get it from both sides so we must be doing it right" argument instead of addressing specific, fact-based criticisms.

I left the comment you see at the end of this post at her blog.

I'll post again early this evening on a matter involving The N&O's failure to report important information concerning arrests and criminal proceedings against some lacrosse players.

Please come back.
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Comment from: John [Visitor] • http://www.johnincarolina.com

05/04/06 at 02:52

Melanie,

"We get it from both sides " is an old excuse.

Specific examples that people can examine against a standard are what matter.

Readers have provided you with dozens of examples of The N&O's biased reporting.

Here are two more examples from many I could cite.

Your Apr. 1 story, “Tension spreads in lacrosse case,” included this photo caption:

Mike Pressler, coach of the Duke men's lacrosse team, snakes his way through players during a practice session Friday. The team's games have been suspended until allegations of a sexual assault at a players' party are resolved.

Pressler SNAKES his way through...???

When was the last time The N&O used "snakes" to describe a person walking among others?

You've told us about the accuser’s academic record, including that she got an A in a "hard course."

What have you said about the lacrosse team's academic accomplishments?

I don't recall The N&O telling readers anything like the following:

In 2005, twenty seven members of the lacrosse team, more than half, made the Atlantic Coast Conference's Academic Honor Roll, more than any other ACC lacrosse team.

Between 2001 and 2005, 146 members of the lacrosse team made the Academic Honor Roll, twice as many as the next ACC lacrosse team.

The lacrosse team's academic performance generally is one of the best among all Duke athletic teams.

John
www.johnincarolina.com