Entry #3 Gross Misconduct of Reporting

**Warning this post contains disturbing details and may trigger some readers**

      In today's media it seems like all they want to do is sensationalize headlines. Whatever has the most catchy headline will get the viewers attention. Unfortunately in most cases in order to achieve this the media must put a spin on the facts, or slanted reporting. When someone mentions slanted reporting in media there is one particular case that comes to mind, Jessica Burlew. If you haven't heard about Jessie B here is the correct version. If you don't want to read the link here is the breakdown.

      On January 18^th, 2014 Jessie,16 years old, was apprehended by Glendale police for the murder of Jason Ash, 43 year old man. 43 year old Jason was engaging in sexual acts with 16 year old Jessie at the time of his death. Now if the age difference and the fact that Jessie was a minor and all of this qualifies as sexual abuse isn't enough for you to be baffled. She is also autistic and has been diagnosed as schizoaffective. She has been in and out of CPS care and was at the time of this incident supposed to be in CPS care. Maricopa county has held her in solitary confinement since January 18^th, 2014. She has been sentenced as an adult to 10 years in prison. Let me say this in other words, Jessie has been placed in jail for 10 years for a 43 year old man, who had an emotional power over her, that told her to choke him during sex. The most horrific part of her story is how the media portrayed her and her sexual predator. In this CBS 5 article it clearly states he is her “boyfriend”, anyone in their right mind would never EVER call a 43 year old man a 16 year old girl's boyfriend. This blatant disregard for the fact that a 43 year old manipulated an already very troubled child is disgusting. Also the fact that Maricopa county has been keeping Jessie in solitary confinement since 2014 is very troublesome. The media has sensationalized this horrible incident and the state has forgotten the laws about charging minors and consensual sex. He was a sexual predator plain and simple.

      Why is unbiased reporting so important you ask? If you cannot tell from the above story then I am not sure I can help you, but I will make another attempt. Unbiased reporting allows the reader or viewer to make an educated informed decision. If all of the information you are getting is half truth then it makes it very difficult to come to an informed decision. Typically people or major news corporations have a reason to slant news stories. Mostly that reason is sponsors and board members. It seems as if American news is more that of the opinions of the CEO's than real facts. So the next time you read a headline like Jessie's or see candid photos for white criminals instead of the mugshots that are placed on news story's of people of color think about slanted reporting.