UVA and the alleged frat rape - Rolling Stone backpedals

Re: Rolling Stone on rape at UVA

I don't really know how much more I can explain, except that the public obviously thinks the world of journalism is awfully full of itself. And this thread really underlines the point.

 

Re: Rolling Stone on rape at UVA

I've seen a lot of people use this sleight of hand this week, and I don't like it. It's an attempt to dehumanize the accused. OK, they are "frat bros." But they are also human beings, college students.

 

Re: Rolling Stone on rape at UVA

How so?

 

Re: Rolling Stone on rape at UVA

So if you were accused of participating in a gang rape, and you knew you were completely innocent and that that truth would ultimately win out, your response would be, "Meh ... I'll be fine"?

 

Re: Rolling Stone on rape at UVA

You really don't see beyond what you've been saying here, PW. And you're absolutely right about the problems with the story, and their journalistic effect. But there's so much more going on there than that. That's all I'm going to say. Story bad. Issue relevant.

 

Re: Rolling Stone on rape at UVA

So are you taking the Sabrina Erdely point of view, then? That we need to stop getting sidetracked and talk about what the story was really ABOUT?

 

Re: Rolling Stone on rape at UVA

I wouldn't use "meh," but, yes. Because I was completely innocent and the truth ultimately won out. I'd be pissed as hell at a reporter who printed those accusations without getting my side, but I believe the truth would shine through, as it appears to be doing in this case.

PW2, everyone in the world is stigmatized to a certain degree. Frat bros are no exception. It comes with the territory.

 

Re: Rolling Stone on rape at UVA

I'm not going to go down the wormhole again. I'm just saying that you're being a little tone-deaf to the sensitivity of the issue.

 

Re: Rolling Stone on rape at UVA

In what way?

 

Re: Rolling Stone on rape at UVA

No. I'm done. You could keep this going forever. But I'm not going to be led into it any further by your being obtuse.

 

Re: Rolling Stone on rape at UVA

Journalism is the very best way to get to the truth of this issue. When it's done wrong, the truth not only doesn't come out, but becomes clouded behind whatever agenda the reporter was trying to serve.

The credibility of the journalism and the credibility of the seriousness of the UVA rape issue go hand-in-hand. Rolling Stone's decision to do the story tied the two together, whether anyone likes it or not.

That makes the magazine's and reporter's apparently grossly irresponsible reporting even more galling.

 

Re: Rolling Stone on rape at UVA

OK, as regards the reporting, I see your point but only to a very small degree. I'm an old fart now and don't have to apply for jobs, scholarships, etc. But a young man who gets accused, even if only by a journalist who is ultimately discredited, is not going to get off scot-free. Not in this day and age. He's never going to be free of that shadow.

But I was really getting at the Duke lacrosse players scenario. I can't believe, if you got hauled into court (falsely) on about the most-heinous of charges there is, that you'd simply be pissed. I know I'd be devastated.