How the Opie and Anthony Suspension Helps to Expose Inaccurate News Reporting

The suspension of Opie and Anthony has taught, or perhaps simply reinforced, something which I've been convinced of for many years now. Accuracy is not always important or necessary in the minds of news agencies and their reporters or anchors.

On Tuesday May 15, I was listening to CNN Headline News in the car on XM Satellite Radio, and later watching the channel on television when I got home from work. I'd been hoping to hear more news about the Opie and Anthony suspension. During a quick headlines newscast, the anchor gave out what amounts to, in my estimation, lies and misinformation.

She stated that Opie and Anthony had been suspended for comments they had made about raping the Secretary of State and the First Lady. She went on to give the terms of the suspension, stating that it was for 30 days, and only from XM, not CBS Radio as well.

Anyone who has done even a small amount of research knows that there are three major errors in her reporting, and frankly, that of many other news outlets.

First, Opie and Anthony never made those comments. The comments in question were made by a guest going by the name of Homeless Charlie.

Second, though the hosts and guest comedian Bill Burr did chime in, not a single person in the studio used the word "rape". Granted, the conversation contained some violent and explicit language, but the actual word was not once used by anyone in that studio.

Finally, as is clear when you take the time to read XM Satellite Radio's statement, you'll find that Opie and Anthony were not suspended for Homeless Charlie's comments. They were suspended because of comments made on their Monday May 14 show. XM executives felt these comments showed that Opie and Anthony were not taking the issue or their own apology seriously. If you read my other writings on this subject, you already know where I stand on this issue.

In a news item which lasted less than fifteen seconds, I have found three blatant inaccuracies. This begs the questions: Do news agencies no longer do research before airing a story? Is truth no longer required from our news media? Can we trust the people we count on to deliver the news to us on TV, radio, or in print media Finally, why aren't these news agencies and their reporters and anchors made to be accountable for what they report

The answer to the first three questions, in my opinion, is a resounding "no". Sadly, I don't know the answer to the last question.

I'm not trying to pick on CNNHN; all of the news networks and local news sources are guilty of this at some point or another. I simply mention CNNHN because it's the report I happened to hear. From my reading on various message boards and fan sites, much of the news media is reporting this story inaccurately.

Some of you may be asking "What can we learn from this". The answer is simple. Don't trust something as fact just because a newscaster tells you it's true. Get online, open several print sources, and research things for yourself. The news media doesn't always get it right. Also, when you catch a media outlet in reporting inaccurate information or blatantly lying, contact them and demand they report the story correctly. Maybe this way, we can get our news media back on track.