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Scott Hechinger

Nov 15, 2021 • 9 tweets • 4 min read • Read on X

THREAD: I critique the NYT when they publish problematic reporting on crime & punishment. Allowing speculation on short-run stats. Sensationalizing. Failing to provide critical context. Today, I want to highlight what they did right in this story. More: nytimes.com/2021/11/15/us/…

Although the headline’s use of the word “surge” is sensational & can lead to gut-reaction misperceptions, the NYT’s subtitle clarifies the universal nature of the increase (“cities, towns, rural areas”) & stresses right away that “reasons are elusive.”

NYT is careful to couch more recent increase in homicides within important context: (1) homicides are still at historic lows & far lower than in 90s, (2) homicides make up a tiny fraction of all crime, (3) overall major crimes continued their decline, (4) homicides slowing again.

Within the first few paragraphs, the NYT identifies, explicitly, how crime data & outlier tragedies like homicides are used by politicians to score cynical political points ("injecting the politics of crime) & play off public fear ("leaving the public unnerved") to win.

The NYT acknowledges the fact that short-run crime data is volatile, & that despite an understandable desire to know answers "it could take years of data collection before phenomenon is fully understood." This is important. Cops use & media publish dangerous speculation often.

Not once did the NYT allow police to speculate about "bail reform" or "protest" or lie that "defund" were causes of any short term rise in homicides. This may seem like a very low bar to celebrate. But given the state of justice journalism recently, this is a major improvement.

Better data visualizations. In the past, NYT has published graphs making it seem like homicides are historically off the charts by comparing short term increases instead of long term trends. This was a breath of fresh air.

Lastly, for now, although I'm sure to find more, the NYT focused in on specific cases of homicides & got granular to avoid creating generalized panic over "violence in the streets," but to show how complicated, & more often than not, interpersonal violence is.

I wrote last month about NYT's (& other outlets) problematic reporting on the rise in homicides & provided a roadmap for how journalists can start thinking about doing better. Doubt this piece had anything to do w/ it & still long way to go, but pleased.thenation.com/article/societ…

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More from @ScottHech

Scott Hechinger

@ScottHech

May 11

Wow. Fiona Apple is a real one. Watch this video. Calling for donations to bail out Black mothers for Mother’s Day. Her fans already came through w donations & spreading the word. Over $30k! Let’s “fetch the bolt cutters” & support even more. I just gave. givebutter.com/nHSrnp

Two years ago, Fiona Apple popped up on a zoom call to get trained by local organizers to Court watch. Dedicated ever since. Her work has led to freedom, lawsuits, accountability.

The stories all here in this short video. She wrote & performed the score:

Be like Fiona Apple. Volunteer to CourtWatch. Visit this campaign hub, learn more, connect w/ a local courtwatch program, &/or learn how to start your own.

Injustice happens in empty courtrooms. Which allows police brutality to continue outside of them. Courtwatch.org

Read 10 tweets

Scott Hechinger

@ScottHech

Mar 18

“No judge has ever lost their job setting bail on someone.”

A NYC judge whispered that. To a public defender. Before depriving their destitute client of freedom. This happens every day. Judges are intimidated to throw poor people in cages.

Thread on a history of intimidation:

Public defenders @elizaorlins & @APetrigh tell about the open secret of "justice" throughout the country People are deprived of liberty, not based on merit. But judicial fear of negative press.

Story is paywalled. So Im transcribing it here:nydailynews.com/2024/03/15/int…

"The NYPD’s recent social media attack against a judge who released a defendant under supervision instead of setting bail and detaining them. The case drew headlines because the NYPD’s aggressive social media posts were full of misinformation, including misidentifying the judge."

Read 11 tweets

Scott Hechinger

@ScottHech

Feb 17

How copaganda works. Police, prosecutor, & prison interests use media to exaggerate & lie about "sensational" cases. Amplify them on repeat. Create the *perception* that "crime" or "migrants" are a "Crisis!"

Perpetual anger/fear buys votes & public opinion. Facts be damned.

How copaganda works. Police release a highly edited video that doesn't include their unprovoked, violent, & unjustified attack on a migrant. Manufactured "outcry" ensues. Lawmakers call for sweeping policy changes. New video later released. It's too late. Profound damage done.

How copaganda works. Even after previously withheld police footage showed the "attack on police" in Times Square was the opposite: An unprovoked attack *by police* on innocent people, reports continue only center the lie.

None (that I've seen) report on the overt police lie.

Read 12 tweets

Scott Hechinger

@ScottHech

Dec 4, 2023

An interesting story for you. Was catching up w/ a friend at coffeeshop. The mother of her friend walked by & joined us briefly. She’s from Chicago. She told us a story about talking to a Chicago police officer. Thanking him for his service.

What he told her will surprise you.

As quick background, she is a white woman. In her 60s. Well off. Grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. Now downtown. Forever Dem. Supported the end of cash bail. But is “fed up” w/ “all the violence.” Thinks “something has to be done.”

She saw a cop the other day & went up to him.

She told the cop how scared she was by everything she was reading in the news. Couldn’t imagine how tough things were “for him” given the “crime rates.” (Note: Homicides are down significantly in most of Chicago, but violence remains a scourge).

The cop told her to “buy a gun”

Read 17 tweets

Scott Hechinger

@ScottHech

Sep 18, 2023

Extraordinary work again from @TeenVogue -- the best justice journalism outlet in the country. On the day that cash bail is finally eliminated in Illinois, they release a critical explainer on "Copaganda."

How to identify & respond to lies & fearmongering about safety. Watch:

Must watch. The week that cash bail is finally eliminated in Illinois, local experts debunk harmful myths that the media peddles about bail reform. In this @TeenVogue video explainer.

"This fear has been built up & stoked by media misinformation. A refrain. A scapegoat " Watch:

Last year: Artists, survivors of violence, organizers, entrepreneurs, public defenders, policy experts, restorative justice practitioners, and system-impacted people sat for a series of conversations while exploring a groundbreaking exhibition on torture and incarceration.

Read 9 tweets

Scott Hechinger

@ScottHech

Aug 4, 2023

Teen Vogue out again w/ the best in political commentary, justice journalism & truth. A compelling & easily digestible explainer on "Abolition."

New vision of safety: "If policing prosecution & incarceration created safety, we'd be the safest country in the world." Watch. Learn:

When people hear the word "abolition" they think 'crazy leftist.' 'Idealistic.'

In reality: "We're the clear eyed ones. We have the whole history of the world to let us know what were doing now is not sustainable. We want a world where violence isn't the norm." Part 2: