ABC.com Just Censored Me!
December 02, 2007
This morning, ABC.com censored me!
Here is what happened.
ABC.com just ran this highly inflammatory story implying racism on the part of Senator Joe Biden. I commented on the story in their comments section and saw my comment published on their site and then, a few minutes later, deleted from their site.
Here is the brief “story” ABC.com ran that started all this. The story really exemplifies everything that is wrong with the mainstream media today and, in particular, their coverage of the current presidential campaign. Following the story please read the comment I made, which ABC.com’s editors just deleted.
Did Biden offend Obama again at Racial Forum? December 02, 2007 5:53 AM
ABC News’ Eloise Harper, Raelyn Johnson and Sunlen Miller Report: At an event focused on minority issues–the Black & Brown forum in Des Moines, Iowa, Sen. Joe Biden D-Del., raised eyebrows when he answered a question about hate crimes. Citing the Jena 6, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., asked Biden if he would help him strengthen the enforcement of hate crimes legislation in the Senate as he would prioritize the issue in his presidency.
Biden responded, “I would be happy to make you the head of the civil right division of my administration.”
When Sen. Obama appeared on camera following the remark, he appeared unmoved by the Biden proposal. Reporters watching the forum were a bit taken back by the comment and instantly remembered a well publicized off-color remark Biden made last February sizing up Obama saying, “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” adding “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”
Comment I made that was deleted by ABC.com editors:
It is highly irresponsible for anyone, let alone a national news network, to inflame racial animosity for any reason. Why on earth would ABC.com seek to do so? This “story” is an example of what most everyone I talk to absolutely hates about mainstream media. See the latest Harvard study — linked on my site — about widespread public contempt for the news media and, in particular, coverage of this presidential election. Really, ABC, is this the best you can do?
Aren’t there some issues in this race? I mean, did Joe Biden say anything else of importance in the time he has been running that you might consider reporting (and or repeating again and again)? Or is it easier to just do some old fashioned race baiting and call that reporting. As a journalist, I’ve never been more ashamed of my profession, which has sunk right into the gutter and is now trying to bring the rest of the country into that gutter with them. We won’t go there. And you, ABC.com, should dig yourself out of the gutter, too.
ABC: “We want your comments. As long as you don’t hold us accountable for our actions.”
