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Man Arrested… The Why is Unclear
This has to be one of the most perplexing headlines and framings of a story I’ve ever seen:
Man arrested after boy falls from balcony at Minnesota's Mall of America https://t.co/azOBaVWjOW pic.twitter.com/QgwwTc1mFB
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) April 13, 2019
If you click the link to read more, you discover the full story:
A 5-year-old boy suffered life-threatening injuries on Friday after being thrown or pushed by an apparent stranger from a third-floor balcony at Minnesota’s Mall of America, and a man who fled the scene has been charged with attempted homicide, police said.
Why wouldn’t the Reuters editor writing the headline and the social media manager make this point clear? It’s better journalism, not to mention making the headline “Man arrested after allegedly tossing boy from balcony at Minnesota’s Mall of America” would garner far more clicks than this ambiguous one.
On Twitter, a few folks are poking fun at this joke of a PC headline, with one Daily Wire host remarking,
"Man arrested after President Lincoln stops watching play at Ford's Theatre" https://t.co/HWoGPBWUfM
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) April 15, 2019
Can you imagine what kind of sanitized headlines we would have seen throughout history of this Reuters team had their way?
Drop some similar vague headlines about major world events in the comments.
Published in Journalism
Egyptian Viceroy’s ultimatum to his older brothers: It’s all about the Benjamin.
Mesopotamia (circa 2400 BC): record flooding expected.
Plymouth (Sept. 1620): Church group departs for extended cruise.
Fort Sumter (April 1861): Conflict over labor practices enters new phase.
Hoboken (July 1917): Observers note increase in number of Americans going abroad this year.
You are on a roll!
And speaking of cannibalism…
Nevada (1847): Wagon train explores new culinary options.
Taking a break from the humor for a second…
Have there been any updates on the condition of the victim?
H
The boy, whose first name is given as “Landen,” is reported to be making “small steps” of progress in recovery, in the hospital.
All kidding aside, it is terrifying to imagine that you have to be concerned about some psychopath like this guy attacking your child while you are shopping in a mall. This has got to be one of the worst nightmares any parent can imagine. My son is in his 40s now, but I well remember the fear I felt whenever he wasn’t under my supervision. I can’t imagine how horrible Landen’s parents must feel, the guilt, and anguish. I only hope that when this monster comes to face justice that the judge has more empathy for the parents than the news media showed in their coverage of the actual crime. The so-called “free press” has become a disgrace. They embarrass themselves daily with their inability to maintain anything that simulates real journalism. They are devoid of values, morality, and ethics. They resemble the swamp of social media more than the standards once held by former newspapers like the New York Times. I can only say that I am appalled.
It’s a miracle that the child is still alive. I was not expecting that. Falling from that high, that young… I assumed the worst. Here’s hoping he can recover and live as close to a normal life as possible. And I pray for justice. No family in a civil society should have to fear something like this.
Landen was under supervision. He was with his mother. A guy asked her mother if he was in her way. She said no, then he grabbed Landen and threw him over the railing.
A thread showed up in my Twitter feed yesterday of a journalist who was upset a man unmatched her on a dating site when he discovered that she was a journalist. Her response was that she was going to look into any criminal records that he might have. A lot of people were taking her to task and pointing out her unethical behavior.
Hmm. I wonder why the guy doesn’t like journalists.
Turkish Sultan decries Malta’s lack of hospitality.
Bifocal inventor struck by lightning.
Israeli Air Force provides shuttle service for tourists inconvenienced by prolonged Ugandan layover.
More like: 50+ Dead after Israeli Attack on African Air Terminal
The sub-headline could be: Attack came as Jewish passenger on diverted flight received treatment at local hospital.
Or: Airport Horror as Israelis in Blackface kill 30+ Africans
The sub-headline could be : Attackers gleefully sang while fleeing the scene. Given hero’s welcome in Israel.