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PJstar article explaining the delay in media releases of information
- Thread starter BU_EMT128
- Start date
Another bit of information is in the responses to Kirk Wessler's 2/27 column. One reader posted a question about why Daniel Ruffin's side of the story was not printed, even though it was taken early Saturday morning and is part of the public record.
Here was the reply from the PJ Star online editor--
Jerry Smith – Journal Star
February 27, 2008 - 12:13
Subject:
No one at the Journal Star was given access to Danny Ruffin's original statement to police for several days. After the Journal Star filed a Freedom of Information request for the full police report, Peoria Police released a copy of the report but Ruffin's statement to police was whited out.
Another issue I have is with the widespread (even national media outlets picked up on this part of the report over the weekend) initial report that Daniel supposedly assaulted the victim with his hands and feet. Now we can see how such a erroneous report can be generated. The police report has a space to enter the weapon used (if a weapon was used), and the officer who filled it out marked "hands/feet". Thus it got widely reported that Daniel assaulted her with his hands and feet!
Am I the only one who sees how damaging this kind of erroneous and inaccurate reporting is? The Police as well as the media need to do a better job of getting the story complete and accurate before they smear the character of a person like Daniel. The PD and the media are both to blame for their shoddy work.
And why was Daniel's statement "whited out"? It makes it look like the police are afraid to let people see his version of the truth, or that they were in too big of a hurry to try to railroad DR and make him into a criminal.
Here was the reply from the PJ Star online editor--
Jerry Smith – Journal Star
February 27, 2008 - 12:13
Subject:
No one at the Journal Star was given access to Danny Ruffin's original statement to police for several days. After the Journal Star filed a Freedom of Information request for the full police report, Peoria Police released a copy of the report but Ruffin's statement to police was whited out.
Another issue I have is with the widespread (even national media outlets picked up on this part of the report over the weekend) initial report that Daniel supposedly assaulted the victim with his hands and feet. Now we can see how such a erroneous report can be generated. The police report has a space to enter the weapon used (if a weapon was used), and the officer who filled it out marked "hands/feet". Thus it got widely reported that Daniel assaulted her with his hands and feet!
Am I the only one who sees how damaging this kind of erroneous and inaccurate reporting is? The Police as well as the media need to do a better job of getting the story complete and accurate before they smear the character of a person like Daniel. The PD and the media are both to blame for their shoddy work.
And why was Daniel's statement "whited out"? It makes it look like the police are afraid to let people see his version of the truth, or that they were in too big of a hurry to try to railroad DR and make him into a criminal.
What is the point of the Freedom of Information Act if parts of police reports can be whited out?
DC, I don't think it's fair to call the reports in the PJStar erroneous or inaccurate. They were simply reporting the information that they had available to them. I've seen the entire police report, and from seeing it, it's easy to understand why it was reported that he assaulted her with his "hands and feet," because that truly is the extend of the information provided on the first page of the report, which is all the PJStar was initially provided with. I would agree that the word "feet" should not have appeared in the report, as none of the statements made by any of those involved mentioned anything about his feet, but it's not unfair to list hands as the weapon because both White and Ruffin indicated that Ruffin did have his hands on the girl.
I also don't think it's fair to say that they "smeared his character" as the reports in the paper clearly stated that he "allegedly" assaulted her, leaving open the possibility that the girl was not being truthful in her statements.
The PJStar really had no choice but to report what they did, when they did. If there had been no story in the paper, what would the reaction have been then? Everyone would have blasted the paper for ignoring the story. When news like this breaks you can't wait several days to report it to make sure you have every bit of information. You have to report the information you have as it becomes available.
So if I smacked you up side the head with a feather it would be OK to say....dogsrus assaulted the victim with a 2x4 and a feather....because afterall, I DID use the feather.
Nomination.....post of the day.
That's hardly what I meant. I agreed that the police should not have used the word feet in their report. That was irresponible of them. My point was that the PJStar shouldn't be blamed for simply reporting the information given to them by the police.
I really do not care when the PJS got their information because after all it's their job to sell their product. What I want to know is when did the BU administration get the full report because I'd guess they should have recieved it on Monday through DR. If they indeed have all the information prior to our game against SIU than why did he sit. They could have forced the issue in DR's favor much earlier is my belief but what do I really know?
On another note I'm just glad that he has been reinstated and by all accounts this ugly mess will be behind shortly unless Lyons is looking for some free PR!
On another note I'm just glad that he has been reinstated and by all accounts this ugly mess will be behind shortly unless Lyons is looking for some free PR!
The media should have known that inaccuracies could occur on the police reports, and not simply report what they think the police report is referring to. They should have included a disclaimer in their report, or at least explained how those terms like hands/feet, and ligatures came about.
And despite reporting that the charges may be just alleged, all you have to do is read some of the reports in the national media, like ESPN and Kyle Whelliston, and some of the comments on outside bulletin boards to realize that many people do infer from this reporting that Daniel is guilty. And that is something that can never be undone even if he is completely exonerated. IMO, they need to go farther than they did to check the accuracy and verify the reports.
I believe it was Phil Theobald who told us that "words mean something", when he scolded Jim Les for making promises for the BU basketball program that Phil did not think Les could keep (though he did). Well, the same could be said of the recent reporting by the local media. The misstatements and inaccuracies reported by the PJ Star have been damaging to Daniel, and they bear responsibility for that reporting.
OK, sorry.
MacabreMob
New member
My guess......
Meeting Monday later afternoon between JG, KK and JL after they knew everything on Monday.
JG: We need to come away with a good image.
KK: Agreed
JL: (shakes head in agreement)
KK: Coach - you think we can beat SIU without him?
JL: Yes.
KK: If we win, do you think we can win at CU without him?
JL: Yes. I believe in these kids all the way.
KK: What kinda seed do we get in the MVCT in that scenario?
JL: Possible as high as a 2, but it all depends.
KK: If we split these last 2 or lose both of them, where would that leave us?
JL: Most likely in the 4/5 but maybe lower, it all depends.
JG: It looks like it might be easier to get thru the MVCT in the 4/5 game than in the other side of the bracket with SIU and/or ISU.
KK: Very true.
JL: No, no... you're right.
JG: So, with or without DR... the 4/5 looks most likely and looks most attractive. I propose we keep DR suspended til after the SIU game. We will have achieved a lot of good PR for our actions and we can take our chances in the 4/5 of the MVCT.
Sounds good on paper but I doubt if JL would agree to that because he is already down a man and the extra stress on his team is not going to really help them and finally what about DR. If you switch the actors around a bit so let's say KK with MM (mighty mouse) and JL with KK that I would believe.
The PJ star reported what they easily received from their definition of credible sources. That is part, but only part of good journalism. (And part is not good, poor to OK at best.)
By not reporting the other side (Ruffin's) they presented a strictly one sided story.
Now, great, award winning, journalism is what occures when the media digs beyond the easily recognizable facts, and follows leads until both sides of a store are unearthed.
In this case we know many Bradley boosters knew both sides on Saturday. Dan DiOrio mentioned early in his AM show on 1470 that "There is more to this story" "I keep hearing from a little bird that there is more to this story tha what has been published". Yesterday, on his show Doc Watson said that he heard about the Will Franklin side on Saturday. With so many other media members at least knowing the other side of the story, than the PJStar had to know both sides.
Even if the PJstar could not publish rumor, nor had anyone's permission, they should knew it wrong to publish this story so one sided.
Great journalism would not of stopped at a few denied requests, Great journalism would of kept going until it was satisfied the full truth was published.
mrcoachdude
New member
I posted something about love the sinner hate the sin, but otherwise have not chimed in on this subject.....I was told early this week what had happened and hoped that the truth would come out SOON....what a difficult situation this is....but I do take exception to the part in the PJStar about 10,000 fans who may have other motives for the outcome than a mere ends of justice ...I believe it was Mr Lyons...excuse me?
One wonders how a person can spend that much time in jail...when there is a witness that.....oh nevermind......
One wonders how a person can spend that much time in jail...when there is a witness that.....oh nevermind......
One thing no one has done is pull the race card but I wonder if DR was......Never mind, it just crossed my mind.
Yeah, I am not sure i can see JL that ok with keeping his star PG out another game for image's sake
MacabreMob
New member
I was just joking around... didn't think I would be taken so seriously.
LOL!
I thought about the only thing in my scenario that held any water was my fake quote by JL, "No, no... you're right."
LOL.