Because I spend most of my waking hours reporting and writing about wrongful convictions across the United States, I am acutely aware when another one becomes public knowledge. Almost every day, I learn about yet another instance of an individual convicted of a crime he or she did not commit, and an eventual exoneration. Frequently, journalists play roles in those exonerations, and those roles are cause for congratulations.
Still, I wonder, where were the journalists when the innocent individual got arrested, indicted, and then either pled guilty under pressure or pled not guilty, went to trial, and endured the wrong outcome? Why are journalists usually involved in exonerations only after the innocent individual has spent years, sometimes decades, in prison trying to be heard? I am proposing a plan for journalists to practice preventive reporting, rather than retrospective reporting. You can read about the plan in an article I wrote for Miller-McCune magazine.
Steve Weinberg is a freelance magazine writer and book author. He also teaches journalism part time at the University of Missouri.
Steve, as is so often the case, you practically have the field to yourself. That’s tragic. And I admire your commitment to solutions. But given the collapse of traditional journalism, I wonder whether things aren’t just going to get worse. How do you see the problem being addressed in the chaotic world of digital journalism? Do you think that new local reporting sites can and will tackle this?
My dad was a journalist. Of all the stories he covered in his lifetime, he was most proud of one of the earliest of his career. Working for the SF Chron at the time, he was on the police beat and realized there was something wrong with the case against some poor schmuck who had been arrested. On his own time, my dad investigated and found the real culprit, leading to the man’s eventual release.
Errol Morris’ Thin Blue line is one of my favorite movies.
Your comment gives me hope, mommybrain. Thank you for sharing.
Russ, my proposal to newsrooms is tailor made for local sites. They can. Let’s hope they are savvy enough so they WILL.
Steve, I don’t see why WhoWhatWhy cannot attempt some “innocence project” type stories, after we’re fully up and running, fully funded and staffed. Something to discuss.