Maynard Institute archives

In Charleston, Massacre Is a Local Story

by richard0607

Updated June 21

Post and Courier Has Less Diversity Than 15 Years Ago

. . . “I Have Similar Experiences to Many in the Church”

. . . N.Y. Times Is Fine With Calling Shootings “Terrorism”

. . . Does Focusing on Suspect Detract From the Victims?

. . . Confederate Flag Under Attack After Massacre, Ruling

It’s Official: Lester Holt Becomes “Nightly News” Anchor

Hispanic Groups Cut Ties With N.Y. Daily News Over Photo

Toronto Police to Reinstate Past Policy on Stopping Citizens

Short Takes

The city of Charleston held a prayer vigil Friday night in honor of the nine shooting victims killed at Emanuel AME Church. (Credit: WCSC-TV). (video)

Post and Courier Has Less Diversity Than 15 Years Ago

The massacre that killed nine worshippers at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., Wednesday left news organizations with a wealth of decisions.

Do they call the suspect a “terrorist”? Do they deploy reporters to the scene? How much coverage does it warrant? How big an issue is the Confederate battle flag flying on the South Carolina Capitol grounds? How deeply should they delve into the history of the church?

Should the attack be treated as an assault on black people or on religion, or both? How much is this a story about access to guns? How are the politicians, local and national, reacting?

Not to mention the immediate news. “Dylann Storm Roof stood up during a Bible study Wednesday at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, pulled a .45-caliber pistol from a fanny pack and shot nine people several times, according to arrested affidavits released Friday,” Andrew Knapp and Christina Elmore reported Friday morning for the Post and Courier in Charleston.

“The details emerged as family members of the nine victims faced Roof, 21, through closed-circuit television during a bond hearing. Roof stood, stared ahead and blinked occasionally as the victims’ loved ones cried. Some of them said they had forgiven him. . . .”

In Charleston, this was foremost a local story. And for some, it was personal. “My father is an AME minister. My grandfather served as Bishop of the 7th Episcopal District and knew Rev. Pinckney very well. I was there the night of the shooting and covered the very first press conference police held,” Valencia Wicker, a reporter and weekend anchor for WICV-TV, the ABC affiliate, told Journal-isms by email. She was referring to the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the church pastor and a well-liked state legislator.

“I was called back in to cover the shooting after I worked a full shift that day. Was only given an intersection. Drove up to find a massive scene of blue lights, officers and EMS. Later found out the shooting was IN the church and the pastor, along with thee ministers, was killed. I’ve never cried at a press conference…. Until now.”

Wicker is president of the Lowcountry Association of Black Journalists. She named other members who were covering the shooting or its aftermath: Elmore of the Post and Courier; Raphael James, anchor and reporter at WCSC-TV, the CBS affiliate; and Octavia Mitchell, an anchor at WCBD-TV, the NBC affiliate. The coverage prompted a look at how representative the Charleston media are of their community.

The U.S. Census reported that in 2013, Charleston County, which includes the city of Charleston, was 29 percent African American.

In 2000, the Post and Courier, Charleston’s major newspaper, reported a newsroom that was 12.3 percent journalists of color. That fell to 8.3 percent in 2007, according to figures the paper reported to the American Society of News Editors. In the most recent survey, for 2014, the paper reported 5.6 percent.

Neither Mitch Pugh, the executive editor, or Rick Nelson, the managing editor, responded Friday to requests for comment.

Herb Frazier, an African American reporter and columnist who left his hometown paper in 2006, told Journal-isms that the paper does not emphasize diversity as it once did.

“I had a great career at The Post and Courier,” Frazier messaged. “I covered challenging stories around the country and the world. I cherish my memories of being a member of the P&C staff.

“The newspaper had a priority to not only hire black journalists but also to support a scholarship program to train young minority journalists at the College of Journalism at the University of South Carolina. The recession, a changing newspaper business model, coupled with a decline in the number of reporters in the newsroom, has clearly changed that emphasis. I left the newsroom in July 2006. Since then the number of jobs in the industry has declined, making it harder for newspapers to recruit and keep journalists of color.

“I hope that one day the percentage of black reporters at the paper will increase to reflect the percentage of African-Americans who live in Charleston.”

He added, “Fewer jobs means fewer opportunities to hire, I guess.”

Diverse or not, the Post and Courier has a mission to fulfill. It won the Pulitzer Prize for public service this year for “Till Death Do Us Part,” “a riveting series that probed why South Carolina is among the deadliest states in the union for women and put the issue of what to do about it on the state’s agenda,” the judges said.

However, “just days before the P&C published the series’ first installment in August,” Natalie Caula Hauff, one of the reporters on the story, left the paper to become a media relations coordinator for Charleston County government, as Corey Hutchins reported in April for the Columbia Journalism Review. Hauff said she found the newsroom job too demanding, although she still freelances for the paper.

In April, the paper found itself reporting on a major racially charged police shooting, when white former police officer Michael Slager of North Charleston fatally shot Walter Scott, a black man, in the back during an April 4 traffic stop. It became worldwide news when a bystander captured the shooting on video.

During its coverage of the church-shooting story, the Post and Courier made news itself. On Thursday, it “apologized for a front-page sticky note that advertised for a gun shop,” Benjamin Mullin reported for the Poynter Institute.

” ‘The front-page sticky note that was attached to some home delivery newspapers on the same day as this tragedy is a deeply regrettable coincidence,’ the paper said in response to a reader complaint on Facebook. ‘We apologize to those who were offended.’ . . .”

Also, on Friday, the paper’s Allison Prang and Jason Emory Parker reported, “The Post and Courier’s website experienced an attack of unknown origin Friday morning, causing it to stop working for a period of time. . . .”

Still, as James West wrote Friday in Mother Jones, “From Boston to Ferguson, Baltimore, and Charleston, one thing has become crystal clear: To get real reporting—and to get it fast—you’ve got to switch off cable and go local. It’s here you’ll find the scoops, the sense of place, the authentic compassion; it’s here you can avoid the predictable blather from a candidate, or pundit, or hack filling airtime. . . .”

As the city’s major daily, it fell to the Post and Courier to express a city’s grief.

“Charleston has suffered considerable tragedy in its 345-year history, including war, fire, storm and earthquake,” its Thursday editorial began. “But in terms of shocking inhumanity, the atrocity that occurred Wednesday night in a place of worship on Calhoun Street transcended those past horrors.

“That’s because our Holy City was defiled by this horrendous pairing of words — ‘church massacre.’ . . .”

The editorial also said, “The Second Amendment guarantees ‘the right to keep and bear arms.’ But that assurance, written in the 18th century, should be reasonably and practically interpreted in light of 21st century realities — including the grimly familiar prevalence of U.S. gun violence. . . .”

The editorial concluded, ”As Mayor [Joseph P.] Riley [Jr.] put it Thursday: ‘We are all in this together.’

“And together, Charleston must — and will — rise above this tragedy, too.”

. . . “I Have Similar Experiences to Many in the Church”

“I was on the scene reporting live the night that it happened,” Raphael James, anchor and reporter at WCSC-TV, the CBS affiliate in Charleston, S.C., told Journal-isms Friday by email, referring to the shooting that left nine dead.

“Since then I have been reporting live downtown on the community reaction, and using social media (twitter, facebook, periscope) to inform and foster discussion.

“Did it make any difference that I was black? Could a white reporter have done the same stories?

“I think white reporters could and DID do the same stories. Because I am black I think I have similar shared experiences to many of the members of that church. Because I am black I think some people may have been more willing to open up to me than someone else, perhaps.

“But I think what helped me out on the scene and gave me an advantage in covering this story wasn’t my skin color alone, but the fact that the people knew me. Over and over again, they came up to me and just started talking (all races). We shared hugs, we shared a moment. Many of them knew me from watching the news, yes, but others recognized me from my participation in community events. . . . My visibility on our station and community involvement helped me more than anything.

“I would like to see more black journalists for sure. But again, a black journalist who isn’t going to be involved in the community or respect the community, in my opinion, is of no special value to the community.”

. . . N.Y. Times Is Fine With Calling Shootings “Terrorism”

As critics accused the news media of a racial double standard in their use of the word “terrorist,” the standards editor of the New York Times told Journal-isms Friday that it would be accurate to apply the term to the white assailant in Charleston.

In an email to Journal-isms, Philip B. Corbett, the Times’ associate managing editor for standards, said “I think it’s an accurate description and could certainly be used. But unlike the federal government, we don’t have an ‘official’ definition of terrorism. And of course other descriptions are also accurate — hate crime, racist attack, massacre. I would generally steer away from imposing just one approved label. In many cases it may be best just to describe the specifics.”

Rick Gladstone wrote Thursday for the Times, “The massacre of nine African-Americans in Charleston has been classified as a possible hate crime, apparently carried out by a 21-year-old white man who once wore an apartheid badge and other symbols of white supremacy. But many civil rights advocates are asking why the attack has not officially been called terrorism.

“Against the backdrop of rising worries about violent Muslim extremism in the United States, advocates see hypocrisy in the way the attack and the man under arrest in the shooting have been described by law enforcement officials and the news media.

“Assaults like the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 and the attack on an anti-Islamic gathering in Garland, Tex., last month have been widely portrayed as acts of terrorism carried out by Islamic extremists. Critics say, however, that assaults against African-Americans and Muslim Americans are rarely if ever called terrorism.

“Moreover, they argue, assailants who are white are far less likely to be described by the authorities as terrorists. . . .”

The issue has been debated previously. A year ago this month, Paul Farhi wrote in the Washington Post, “News organizations, including The Post, say they are reluctant to call anyone a terrorist unless officials do so first.

” ‘In general, we shy away from independently labeling people as terrorists and would factually note if someone has been listed or labeled as such by someone else, such as the FBI or another government entity,’ said AP spokesman Paul Colford in an e-mail.

“He said, however, that there are some ‘clear’ cases in which the words apply: the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001; bombings in Bali, London and Madrid; and the assault on a Nairobi shopping mall last year by the militant group al-Shabab. But in incidents such as the shootings in Las Vegas, the news service relies on the FBI or other agencies for such terminology.

“The Reuters news service has a similar policy. Its stylebook advises reporters to use the terms ‘terrorism’ and ‘terrorist’ only when attributing them to a specific source. ‘Aim for a dispassionate use of language so that individuals, organisations and governments can make their own judgment on the basis of facts,’ it says. ‘Seek to use more specific terms like “bomber” or “bombing” . . .  “gunman” or “gunmen,” etc. ‘ . . .”

Since then, use of the word “thug” has been added to the debate. “U.S. media practice a different policy when covering crimes involving African Americans and Muslims,” Anthea Butler wrote in the Post on Thursday. “As suspects, they are quickly characterized as terrorists and thugs (if not always explicitly using the terms), motivated by evil intent instead of external injustices. . . .” 

. . . Does Focusing on Suspect Detract From the Victims?

“On Friday, the country continued to mourn the dead from the racially motivated massacre at a black Charleston, South Carolina, church Wednesday night. Coverage began with a manhunt for the killer, then transitioned into prayer vigils and calls for healing,” Jon Levine wrote Friday for mic.com.

“Americans, however, awoke to starkly competing media narratives Friday morning from newspapers around the country as editors and news directors struggled with how best to frame a senseless tragedy.

“One paper that knocked it out of the park was Charleston’s own Post and Courier, whose cover perfectly captured what everyone should really be talking about.

“The powerful front page featured all nine victims prominently just below the masthead and accurately captured the grief of the community. Most telling of all, the gunman was nowhere to be found.

“While the dignified Post and Courier approach may seem obvious, many other papers around the country felt the true focus of the story should center on other things.

“Focusing on the gunman isn’t necessarily wrong. As the man who is accused of committing the massacre, he will always be a central part of the story. His story and motives, however, will be given a full airing when he is brought to trial. If the recent experience of the Boston bomber is any guide, it will likely be extended and painful. The shooter’s constitutionally protected right ensures America will have to relive this terrible week down the road.

“There won’t be another moment, however, for people like Cynthia Hurd, a 54-year-old Charleston library employee, or Tywanza Sanders, a 26-year-old recent college graduate, or Ethel Lee Lance, a 70-year-old grandmother. On a national scale, they and the six other lives ended on Wednesday night have only the present to be remembered. When the massacre does ultimately fade from headlines, so too will their stories.

“Their names: Ethel Lance, Susie Jackson, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Cynthia Hurd, Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, Depayne Middleton-Doctor, Myra Thompson, Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr.“

. . . Confederate Flag Under Attack After Massacre, Ruling

The Confederate battle flag returned to the news this week when the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld Texas’ refusal to issue a license plate bearing the battle flag, and Wednesday’s massacre at a black chuch in Charleston, S.C., called attention to the symbol, which was depicted on the suspect’s license plate.

Many linked the racism expressed by the suspect, Dylann Roof, and the battle flag that flies on the South Carolina state Capitol grounds.

“The court said in a 5-4 ruling that Texas can limit the content of license plates because they are state property and not the equivalent of bumper stickers,” Mark Sherman reported Thursday for the Associated Press.

“The Sons of Confederate Veterans had sought a Texas plate bearing its logo with the battle flag. A state board rejected it over concerns that the license plate would offend many Texans.. . .”

In a break from his white conservative colleagues, Justice Clarence Thomas voted with the majority.

The ruling represents a victory for Texas’ major newspapers. As reported on March 23, the Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, Austin American-Statesman, San Antonio Express-News, Waco Tribune and Fort Worth Star-Telegram all supported the state’s decision to keep the flag off the plates.

The Washington Post has reported that at least nine other states offer Sons of Confederate Veterans license plates: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Lower courts ruled that the states had no choice but to accept them on free-speech grounds. State legislatures now have the authority to refuse those requests.

In his Atlantic blog Thursday, Ta-Nehisi Coates laid out the objection to the flag.

“Last night, Dylann Roof walked into a Charleston church, sat for an hour, and then killed nine people. Roof’s crime cannot be divorced from the ideology of white supremacy which long animated his state nor from its potent symbol — the Confederate flag.

“Visitors to Charleston have long been treated to South Carolina’s attempt to clean its history and depict its secession as something other than a war to guarantee the enslavement of the majority of its residents. This notion is belied by any serious interrogation of the Civil War and the primary documents of its instigators. . . .”

It’s Official: Lester Holt Becomes “Nightly News” Anchor

“Lester Holt never wanted to become the anchor of ‘NBC Nightly News’ this way,” Brian Stelter reported Thursday for CNNMoney.com.

“But through Brian Williams‘ lapses in judgment, and subsequent punishment, Holt has been promoted to one of the most prestigious jobs in television news.

“NBC confirmed on Thursday what has been apparent for several weeks: Holt is being upgraded from substitute anchor to permanent anchor of the ‘Nightly News.’

“Holt is on a long-scheduled vacation this week — his first significant time off since Williams was suspended in February. So [he] tweeted shortly after NBC made his promotion official: ‘Promised my family I wouldn’t think about work during vacation. Just got the ok to break that promise. Excited and grateful for new role.’

“In a few days, Holt’s name will be added to the ‘Nightly News’ logo.

“The anchor has been filling in for Williams without the benefit of much promotion, but that will change soon: a robust marketing campaign will start next week.

“Thursday’s announcement makes Holt the first African-American solo anchor of a weekday network nightly newscast. . . .” Stelter went on to quote this columnist, who said of the appointment, “It’s about time! . . .”

NBC announced Thursday that “Williams, who was an anchor at MSNBC from 1996 to 2004, will now join MSNBC as anchor of breaking news and special reports. He will work with Mark Lukasiewicz, SVP of Special Reports for NBCU News Group, who will help lead a team to strengthen MSNBC’s daytime coverage by further leveraging NBC News’ expertise in breaking news. In addition, Williams will serve as a breaking news anchor for NBC News live special reports when Holt is not available. He will begin the new role in mid-August. . . .”

Mark Kornblau, a spokesman for NBC News, told Journal-isms by telephone that Holt would not have the “managing editor” title that Williams carried. “One of the lessons learned is that giving one person the title of managing editor too puts too much control in that person,” Kornblau said. He added by email, “We are dropping the title of managing editor from Nightly News. There will be no managing editor. There will be, as always, an Executive Producer.”

Russ Mitchell, a black journalist who like Holt was a weekend anchor and substitute weeknight anchor, but for CBS, tweeted from his current job as managing editor evening news and lead anchor of the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. news at WKYC-TV in Cleveland. “For several reasons, many of us thought this day would never come..but it’s here. Congrats @LesterHoltNBC..a great guy & great journalist.”

The National Association of Black Journalists also applauded the appointment. In a news release, NABJ Vice President-Broadcast Dedrick Russell noted its historic significance.

“It is thrilling to see that an African-American will for the first time in television history be the solo anchor of an network evening newscast,” Russell said. “Lester’s presence will surely inspire the next generation of young journalists to make a commitment to the craft and aim to tell honest, creative, and compelling stories which illuminate the diverse world around them.”

Toronto Police to Reinstate Past Policy on Stopping Citizens

“The Toronto Police Services Board took a province-wide lead on carding reform Thursday by resurrecting a progressive policy that many in the community regarded as an important step forward in eliminating arbitrary stops of citizens and storing of their details in a police database,” Patty Winsa and Jim Rankin reported Thursday for the Toronto Star.

As reported Wednesday, demands to change the policy escalated after black journalist Desmond Cole described being stopped more than 50 times in a piece for Toronto Life magazine.

“No, it is not an outright end to a practice many see as offensive and illegal,” Winsa and Rankin continued. “Some left a police board meeting at a packed auditorium at police headquarters feeling deeply disappointed.

” ‘I feel blindsided,’ said Bev Salmon, one of more than a dozen speakers to address the civilian board. ‘We came here with the hope that carding would be ended.’

“But Saunders signalled during and after the meeting — which also saw the resignation of long-term chair Alok Mukherjee — that he is willing to follow the wishes of the civilian oversight board on the issue.

“And, that is something.

“The board passed the progressive policy — and rescinded watered-down rules written by former chief Bill Blair — ahead of promised province-wide carding reforms, which are due in the fall. . . .”

Short Takes

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