FAC Media Committee: Call to Action
This past week, FOX News and the New York Post caused damage to hundreds of thousands of people on the sex offense registry in this country over the way they covered the story of the attempted kidnapping of the 11-year-old girl in Escambia Co.
I am contacting both outlets and would greatly appreciate having other people let them know the damage that was caused by the careless way this story was covered.
The New York Post article, used by FOX News, was written by Jesse O’Neill. The best email address that I have come up with so far for the New York Post is: [email protected] or 646-357-3838.
To contact FOX News, go to foxnews.com, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Contact Us. On “Submit a request”, use the dropdown arrow and choose “request a correction or clarification to a story”. You will need to paste the URL (web link) for the page that you are reporting a problem with:
https://www.foxnews.com/us/11-year-old-florida-girl-fights-off-sex-offender-at-bus-stop
In the New York Post article, I counted O’Neill’s use of the term “sex offender” 5 times, mostly in the captions under the photos and, of course, in the title. FOX News also used the term from the Post article. None of the other national or local news outlets that I have listened to has used “sex offender”. The New York Post is listed as a tabloid meaning it likes to print sensational articles. FOX is doing the same thing.
Some points that can be used in our replies to the NY Post and FOX, which are contained in the Weekly Update found at the FAC webpage under Media, are:
- This guy will likely be in prison forever; it’s the other 74,000+ people on the Florida registry who will be subjected to whatever new legislation named after this poor 11-year-old, that will unquestionably be introduced in the coming legislative term. What new collateral consequence, additional requirement, further restriction, or punishment will be imposed on registrants because of this tragedy they had no responsibility for?
- Who is this unidentified “sex offender”? Jared Stanga. He is not on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement sex offender registry. In a national search including all states, territories, and Indian Country, Mr. Stanga is NOT listed on a sex offender registry.
- The “sex offender” registry did absolutely nothing to prevent the attempted abduction of this girl, except point the finger at a population that had nothing to do with it and potentially divert the focus of law enforcement had they not captured the perpetrator.
- When the politicians use this tragedy to try to expand the registry or enact proximity ordinances around bus stops, let’s remind them that the registry did nothing to prevent this, as it did nothing to prevent the abduction of Jacob Wetterling and as it did nothing to prevent the abduction of Adam Walsh.
- If everyone would just take a deep breath and rational look at these policies, they will see they are ineffective and should be abolished.
THE BIG TAKEAWAY THAT FOX AND THE NEW YORK POST NEED TO UNDERSTAND: THEY GOT IT WRONG. MR. STANGA WAS NOT ON THE “SEX OFFENDER” REGISTRY, AND BY TRYING TO CONNECT PEOPLE ON THE REGISTRY WITH MR. STANGA, THEY HAVE JUST MADE A LIFE, THAT CAN ALREADY BE DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE MEDIEVAL STATUTES AND ORDINANCES RELATED TO THE REGISTRY, EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REGISTRANTS IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE NOW LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.
Thank you for your help,
Media Chair ([email protected])
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In this Case, as in many other cases, once Again, the Media Violated Their Own Ethical Standards….
http://www.spj.org/pdf/spj-code-of-ethics.pdf
I can’t believe that FAC media would be striving to correct statements of writers of papers. Even at best the papers can put in a retraction article. Nothing wrong with reproofing an article. and nothing wrong with reproofing sex offender issues if that be the case, which it is.
Sure I’ve listened to much of these topics on FAC,NARSOL, and others but much of this registry ordeal factor is intimidation. There is only one person to fear and that is God.
Are many intimidated to express personally to even governors about much of these sex offender issues before many issues get more out of line and I would say much of these ordeals of these internet sting nature are out of line and a few other issues I’m sure. Intimidation can produce an unhealthy fear in some.
Sure are many of you all living in fear, weather you are on probation, have a leg monitor on your leg, or even the fear of well they are going to extend your probation as we feel that you are not ready for reality in the real world. Hey they wanted me to take sex offender classes over again but I started talking about God and Jesus and the truth and they backed down said we have decided the instructor, DA, etc.. we dont’ want you in the class. Even after I had already finished it the first time.
Sure understanding is good and yes wisdom is also but intimidation comes in many forms and tactics. Harrassment does also. Sure one can check up on someone but what are they checking for when the question is posed. Do people interrigate others out of vain folly?
Even Gerald has a unique comment and in his 95 years he has I’m sure some good qualities for true justice and also for justice and liberty. Freedom is freedom no matter how you slice it or did Lincoln actually free the slaves or even the cocaine dealers. Course one is not talking about cocaine but its standing up and not being intimidated in much of this offender ruse.
Fox news only got to white van and that was all the “evidence” they needed to conclude this guy is a sex offender.
https://twitter.com/WomenAgainstReg/status/1395921501090680833?s=20
Once Again The Media, in this case, As in so many others, VIOLATES THE SPJ’S (Society of Professional Journalism) Code of Ethics!
Please go to:
http://www.spj.org/pdf/spj-code-of-ethics.pdf
Problem with blaming the media is that the police are the ones that told the public that the guy has a history of sexual crimes against children. I, myself assumed that he was on the sex offender registry after hearing that. That police department spreading false information is the real problem. Fox News just ran with the false information in order to sensationalize their headlines. It’s what Fox does. The truth is that the video itself was disgusting enough to enflame the public and demand harsher treatment of sex offenders. Don’t expect Fox to apologize.
The media has a responsibility to verify the information they are disseminating. It wouldn’t take any effort for them to look up the Megan’s Law website to be sure. That is their business – is it not?