Nikcoli Carter claimed he was waiting for a bus at the corner of Dixie and Hill when he was "unjustifiably" approached by police and then punched and kicked him numerous
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This article says so much in how it tries to not assert any facts. He “claimed”. Everything is in quotes. Oh, the charges were dismissed. The police department somehow lost all recordings. Huh, the arrest report didn’t mention beating him. Oh.
To avoid libel lawsuits and focus on the facts, journalists use qualifying words like “alleged” and “claimed” even when a collection of facts seems to point to particular unproven truth.
It’s the job of the justice system not the journalist to prove guilt.
This article says so much in how it tries to not assert any facts. He “claimed”. Everything is in quotes. Oh, the charges were dismissed. The police department somehow lost all recordings. Huh, the arrest report didn’t mention beating him. Oh.
I worked at a newspaper.
To avoid libel lawsuits and focus on the facts, journalists use qualifying words like “alleged” and “claimed” even when a collection of facts seems to point to particular unproven truth.
It’s the job of the justice system not the journalist to prove guilt.