Shame on the Washington Post

The Washington Post's Ombudsman Michael Getler reveals an estonishing edit job done by the Post in reporting a murder in Maryland.

The headline said, "2 Killed, 2 Robbed in Prince George's; Band of Four Men Sought in Attacks." The story, by reporters Allison Klein and Philip Rucker, reported that one of the robbers shot and killed Herminio Moscoso, a 26-year-old father of two, as he came to the aid of his younger brother, who had a gun put to his head by one of the four men who had surrounded him. About 15 minutes later, the men fatally shot William Everette Miller, a 46-year-old mechanic, as he tried to get away from the robbers at a gas station where he had gone to get cigarettes. After the two murders, the four men committed two more robberies that same morning.

The story reported that: "Police are looking for the gunmen, described as being in their late teens or early twenties, driving a newer-model tan or light-colored sedan."

Contrast the last paragraph with the report put out by the Prince George's County police.

"The four suspects are described as black males, possibly late teens or early twenties. One of the suspects is about 5'7", 22-25 years old, wearing a gray long sleeve T-shirt, and cornrow hairstyle. The suspect's vehicle is described as a newer model tan or beige/light colored sedan."

The race of the suspects and other relevant details are left out. For what possible reason? Mr. Getler goes on to explain.

Metro editors said it was their "view that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of black men about 5'7" with cornrows between ages 22-25 in Prince George's and (nearby) D.C. That is not specific enough detail to avoid a mass of innocent black men being 'suspects.' " Metro's top editor, Robert McCartney, said, "This strikes me as a judgment call: How specific does the description need to be before we provide the identifying information?" Our experienced editors, he said, "thought this call was the right one, given Post Stylebook guidelines."

If I hadn't given out a knucklehead today already, Mr. McCartney would get it. He still is a knucklehead. The suspect's race is relevant, because it describes the people who commited the crime. Prince Georges County police released the info, why should the Post be editing it? The only reason I see to do so is because its not politcially correct. Are Post editors like Mr. McCartney more concerned about the public safety or hurting a few people(and there may not be any such persons. Any intelligent person will want to be informed there are murderers on the loose and what they look like. At least that's my opinion.) who are overly sensitive? Sheesh is all I say. Just another sign of the mentality in certain press rooms. They don't want to report the news unless it fits their bias or certain criteria. Much of MSM isn't really in the NEWS business any more, they are just conveying how their opinion of the news. Not give or report the News unfiltered.

Hat tip- Michelle Malkin