Thread by @ScottHech

OUTRAGEOUS: Again from the @nytimes. Look at this headline. Makes it seem like Mayor's LIE is legitimate. If anyone actually opens the story, it takes 8 full paragraphs & 332 words before they state the truth: Bail reform has nothing to do with this. nytimes.com/2022/01/28/nyr…

Even worse: in the paragraphs leading up to the very clear statement that bail reform has nothing to do w/ this case, @nytimes continues to repeat the Mayor's cynical lie. Reprints his statement. In full! Describes wildly successful bail reform as "heated dispute."

Compare: "Mayor Eric Adams escalated his battle." "His most forceful comments yet." "Mr. Adams argued in his statement." "Mr. Adams said in the statement."

To: "Other elected officials and Mr. Williams’s lawyer said the situation was more nuanced than the mayor was suggesting."

8 paragraphs in. Minds already made up: "The specific charges against Mr. Williams were not affected by the revision to bail law that took effect in 2020. Prosecutors were free to ask that Mr. Williams be detained, and the judge hearing the case, Denis Boyle, could have agreed."

Here's the other thing that's just amazing about all this: It appears--not surprisingly--officers are lying now about what happened. Sounds like the 16 y/o actually shot himself in the groin as the officer tackled him. Bullet passed through his thigh & grazed the officer’s leg.

This description offered by the 16 year old's attorney "matched one offered the night of the incident by police officials, who said Mr. Williams had refused to take his hands out of his pockets as officers questioned him."

Also: Why questioning this teen? Why tackle him?

Most people don't read beyond headlines. So most damage is already done no matter how comprehensive & nuanced the actual story is (an already unfortunate rarity in criminal justice journalism).

I'm thinking about this @nytimes headline:

https://twitter.com/ScottHech/status/1474736853509156866?s=20&t=Qc8LVCVqJKpFj0O2CaWc_w

I’m exhausted of critiquing the @nytimes. But can’t stop. Won’t stop. They are so influential. “The paper of record.” Literally forming & molding millions & millions of minds & beliefs about criminal system everyday. And it’s so often so tilted toward power. At expense of truth.

Better journalistic practices are a racial & social justice imperative. More thoughts on problematic current practices & what journalists & consumers of news can do right now to improve:

https://twitter.com/ScottHech/status/1445820985094017034?s=20&t=Qc8LVCVqJKpFj0O2CaWc_w

In this piece, I offer a roadmap for journalists & editors. “Media outlets, editors, & reporters need to turn to sources beyond just police & prosecutors, convey genuine nuance in their reporting & headlines, and stop the use of dehumanizing language."thenation.com/article/societ…

While a 16 y/o was being tackled by police for having his hands in his pockets while they questioned him for who knows what, he accidentally shot himself & the bullet went through him & grazed an officer. Bail was set. $250k. Headline couldn’t be worse.nytimes.com/2022/01/28/nyr…