Why Won’t The Press Tell The Real Truth? Bad News Sells.
By: Larry Burton
When you do internet, TV, radio or any other kind of “Instant News”, the urge for the person behind the keyboard is to be as sensational as possible to get the most hits, or get the TV’s and radios tuned to your outlet. They’re not bothered by getting the whole story out, not when a sensational headline like “Domestic Violence” is in play.
And that’s just what happened this week when it was reported that Ryan Anderson, a linebacker at the University of Alabama who looks like a probable starter next season, was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence.
What they didn’t say tells much more.
There was no “violence”. Anderson and his girlfriend, both 20 years old, apparently got into an argument. No hands were placed on another in anger, but according to to reports on a local Birmingham television station, the girlfriend scratched Anderson’s car by keying it and then proceeded to throw change at his car. Anderson responded by kicking his girlfriend’s car.
Police were called and both were arrested for the smallest charge that could have have been given, misdemeanor domestic violence.
Initial reports never mentioned that it was mutual violence against cars and everyone who heard the initial reports were left thinking, “Oh no, another football player beating on a woman.” and the actual charge, which was not reported correctly by any media was domestic violence third degree criminal mischief.
“Now you know the rest of the story.” as radio commentator Paul Harvey used to say. Or to put it another way, now you know the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth and it isn’t the story you may have thought it was.
Larry has been published in almost every media outlet for college sports and now primarily writes here for Touchdown Alabama. Follow Larry on Twitter for inside thoughts and game time comments at https://twitter.com/LBSportswriter  Thanks for sharing the link to this story on your Facebook page!
