R'nel: Ferguson: The Media's Biggest Failure
By Gary R'nel
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There was a demonstrable inherent bias in the way the media covered the unfolding story of Ferguson. When CNN's Don Lemon began reporting from terra firma in Ferguson he immediately told his viewers it was a privilege to be reporting this story on location. What exactly did Lemon mean by this? It is my opinion that Lemon, because he is an African American, could help white America to understand the personal challenges facing Michael Brown and what led to a white police officer shooting him.
Lemon lectured conservative radio host Ben Ferguson for his criticism of President Obama's reaction to the shooting telling him that, since he is white, he has a"place of privilege" that minorities do not have. Therefore, he can't fully understand the plight of black people in America.
Now to the Reverend Al. A complete demagogue and a self-fulfilling prophecy. Missouri's Lt. Governor Peter Kinder calls it correctly when he says that Sharpton, who owes millions unpaid taxes, is an inciter of mobs and demands mob justice. That is Mr. Sharpton's modus operandi if you have not noticed. This is how Sharpton supports the National Action Network under his leadership.
So where did the media fail miserably in covering this story to date? It is in the lack of coverage of Michael Brown's character by Lemon or Sharpton and a cadre of others. Surveillance shows what appears to be Michael Brown stealing cigars from a Ferguson convenience store and shoving the store clerk minutes before he was fatally shot by a police officer.
Also, the mother and the stepfather of the slain teen are under investigation for an alleged October violent incident with other Brown family members over the sale of "Justice For Mike Brown" merchandise.
The majority of the media simply ignored these stories in deference to political ideology and political correctness. Maybe Michael Brown was not this warm, fuzzy, huge teddy bear. Maybe his earlier actions that day did contribute to how events unfolded with Officer Darren Wilson on that early August day.
The media was also AWOL in not questioning the authorities about the lack of arrests and crowd control following the Grand Jury announcement.
Journalism 101 is now an extinct species. Too bad, because we all suffer the consequences.