This is a completely non-political example of a common practice these days.

Rushing toward television news cameras gains publicity for an accuser and leaves the accused without an opportunity to correct the record once the facts are known.

Recently an unstable resident of a local nursing home phoned 911 to report that the director of her home had just punched her. The unsubstantiated claim resulted in deputy sheriffs arresting the director and hauling him away.

Next, the local television station showed up with a reporter and cameras to report the still unsubstantiated claim and resultant arrest on the evening news.

Within hours, the facts were known and the pending charges were dropped. But the damage was done. The television station did not return to correct the rushed report. The reputations of this facility and the director have been heavily damaged.

We should all be careful to accept initial “news” reports. Were we hearing only from the accuser or was there a full report after a post event investigation? Accusers and protestors are winning far too easily these days.