woodeehoo t1_iy4eab8 wrote
Reply to comment by derndy in [North Chesterfield] Virginia law enforcement worker killed in shootout with deputies after murdering family of teen he catfished, police say by archetype1
It’s called the “passive exonerative” and it’s basically in the damn style guide for reporting on any misdoings by members of LE in the media in order to minimize the relationship between the involvement or responsibility of LE and the ensuing crime or result.
It’s completely maddening but once you see it, you’ll start seeing it everywhere.
Recent examples include the case where a teenager fleeing her kidnapper was shot by LE, phrases like “the firearm was discharged, resulting in the death of XYZ”. Who exactly fired that firearm huh? Have the guns achieved sentience?
Meanwhile, same scenario with anyone BUT LE and you’ll see headlines like “crazed maniac murders good white Christians” (with the subtext being “vote Republican to stave off the Antifa takeover”)
It’s a form of manufacturing consent.
derndy t1_iy4esj8 wrote
Yes, thank you for articulating what I couldn't! Reminds me of when my roommate begrudgingly venmo'd me for shoes her cat ruined with the comment "for shoes that got cat pee on them", haha.
Steel_Airship t1_iy5mnz8 wrote
Interesting that "guns don't kill people, people kill people", until a cop kills someone.
kneel_yung t1_iy4vd9w wrote
As a practical consideration, they do this because they need access to police, otherwise the police will give exclusive scoops and interviews to their competitors.
Is it shitty? Of course it is. But news is entertainment and the goal is to make money. News is not a public service like many seem to think it is. They're private businesses looking to pad their bottom line in any way possible. The rich capitalists who own the media couldn't care less how informed people are. The just want cheap content, and cops give it to them for free.
sleevieb t1_iy620ud wrote
Iirc to get fcc licenses to broadcast the major channels had to agree to provide news. I think it got shut down by the Supreme Court or deregulated in the late 80s.
Cops are public servants and it’s gross that they have to be treated a certain way by reporters if anyone expects them to say anything.
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