I was recently appalled when I read the Bakersfield Californian newspaper headline in regards to an officer involved shooting.  The headline read "Officers Slay Parolee."  To me the title sounds as if the police committed a crime.  After reading the article I realized several Bakersfield Police Officers returned fire in self defense.  The suspect, a parolee died from the injuries, and the Officer was hospitalized due to his injuries. 

My concern is the way this story was titled.  I have seen it in the past, but this is going overboard.  The media needs to be more responsible when selecting their headlines and be cautious of the words chosen; after all, they are reporting the facts, not their believes.

Law Enforcement is a tough job; and when a differenct picture is painted to the community it is simply not fair nor moral.

I am disgusted about Ms. Henry's response to my plea to not post Officer Eddy's picture on the website immediately following the officer involved shooting.  Further, as soon as she received my email, the picture appearing on the website was edited to a close-up of Officer Eddy.  As her struggle for control and power continued,  the amendment to the picture was not deemed newsworthy, nor was it an enhancement to the story. Her response below shows her blantant disregard for officer & public safety.   Her "doubt" that posting his picture would put Officer Eddy in any more danger is not good enough for me.  It is not good enough for Officer Eddy's family either. 

At least Jenner acknowledged the ensuing headline was slanted and inappropriate.  Ms. Henry's response showed a callous indifference to the danger the police face everyday.  The quest for moral and responsible journalism continues for TBC. 

Ms. Cruse:

Below is the reply from my editor.

Thanks,

Louis



Louis Medina
Staff Writer
The Bakersfield Californian
1707 Eye St.
Bakersfield, CA 93302
Tel. 661-395-7496
Fax 661-395-7519
 


------ Forwarded Message
From: Lois Henry
Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2008 19:00:45 -0800
To: Louis Medina
Conversation: BPD Officer Eddy
Subject: Re: BPD Officer Eddy

Good point about Lucifer. But Officer Eddy is well known in the area as a gang officer so I doubt shielding his photo will keep him any safer than our posting it.


On 2/10/08 6:54 PM, "Louis Medina" wrote:

Hi, Lois:

The following e-mail with some genuine concerns just came in from a reader. Can you consider it and reply?

Thanks,

Louis


Louis Medina
Staff Writer
The Bakersfield Californian
1707 Eye St.
Bakersfield, CA 93302
Tel. 661-395-7496
Fax 661-395-7519
 


------ Forwarded Message
From: Julie Cruse
Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2008 18:54:03 -0800
To:
Subject: BPD Officer Eddy

Dear Mr. Medina,

In your story about the officer involved shooting, you mentioned there are threats that are being called into the BPD.  Why would you post a picture of Officer Eddy arresting a suspect?  As I'm sure you are aware, these gang members have nothing to lose by targeting  BPD Officers, and you and your editor just gave them an opportunity to see what Officer Eddy looks like.  Further, are you aware of any gang affiliation by Darnell Pierce?  Just posting that picture can give a rival gang another reason for retaliation.  I urge you to PLEASE take that photo off the website.  This is not only for the safety of Officer Eddy, but for his family and the whole Bakersfield Police Department.

Good point Curt!

No "yellow journalism" there eh sf?

Anything to stir the pot

Sell ink!

I could also offer headline:

"Convicted Felon Fires at Police - Situation Normalized, BPD TCB. All Ends Well!"

February 11, 2008 (both print and on line version of TBC) the story line is:

"Officers Slay Parolee"

A quick check with Dictionary dot com shows the following definition for the word slay:

—Synonyms 1. murder, slaughter, massacre, butcher, assassinate. 2. annihilate, ruin.

No media bias against cops? Yeah----Right! Tell me a lie I can believe.

The headline over the story speaks for itself. Of course there is a bias!. While it may be unintentional, there is a bias against law enforcement by TBC and this bias is to generate reader interest.

Regardless of motive this bias is inexcusable. This particular police shooting has inflamed tempers in an area of Bakersfield known for gang violence and has generated threats against Law Enforcement. For the Bakersfield Californian to further fan the flames with an obviously biased headline is worse than tabloid journalism: It can inflame tempers and cost officers their life!

Monday-morning-quarterbacking is always the easiest but anyone with a brain can see these officers were simply defending themselves when they came under deadly gunfire from a felon.

Next time try this headline: "Convicted Felon Fires On Police and Is Killed!"

Anyone ever read 'Mean Justice'? Pretty good book about the "law" in Bakersfield. Anyone know whats with this sense of superiority about anyone working with the PD? Normally, when you exit your car you wait for traffic. I saw a Police Technician almost get hit for swinging her door open then hurrying to get to the middle of the street. If anything, they aren't being reported negatively enough.

From Mr. Jenner's reply, "Ironically, the story was a strong indictment of the prevalence of porn in our culture. It talked about the negative effect the focus on sexuality has had on young people -- particularly on young girls."

This is an interesting topic unto itself, but as I see it, a society's porn is a reflection of a society's overall attitude toward sex, not a cause of it.

I have seen beautiful  "porn."  I have seen video clips that -- far from degrading the woman -- made me want to hug her, hold her, protect her.

This type of "porn" is more prevalent in European countries, where their attitudes toward sex are incomparably healthier.

The more gross and stupid-looking stuff tends to be of American or Arab vintage.

Steve I didnt see the Pic I was referring to a post a viewer made.

Ron.

OH NO !  I missed the porn on the Californians front page?  I could have saved myself the cost of shipment in the plain brown wrapper?   RATS !

NOTE TO TBC FROM READER:  Stop putting those Macy's, Penny's, Mervyns and Kohls lingerie ads in your paper.  Showing skimpy clothing on well built models is pornographic you know.  All those bikini panties and bras...disgusting I tell you..and I am offended.

Murphyslaw, you've gotta take the *NOSES* into account when judging pornography, remember?

http://people.bakersfield.c...

But Steve you didn't answer the question about the pornographic pic?

Ron.