May 2, 2012
Print This Post
Follow Todd on Twitter by clicking here
Ethical questions are being raised both inside The Virginian-Pilot and in the Norfolk, Va. area after two of the paper’s reporters were attacked and beaten by a mob of at least 30 blacks, but was downplayed by police and withheld from the public for more than two weeks by the newspaper’s editors.
Reporters Dave Forster and Marjon Rostami were leaving a concert on the night of April 14 when a crowd of around 100 young people gathered on the sidewalk near their car. Rostami reached over to lock the door.
FOLLOW TODD ON FACEBOOK – FOR CULTURE WAR NEWS!
According to a police report obtained by Fox News, a black male hurled a rock at the car. Forster got out and tried to confront the individual who damaged his car. Instead, a gang of attackers began punching and pound the reporter. Police would not confirm the exact number — but at least one account put the number at 30.
Rostami tried to pull him back inside the car, but others in the crowd began attack her, the police report stated. She was beaten a half dozen times by an unidentified black man.
Rostami was eventually able to call 9-1-1. Police officers responded, they wrote an incident report and labeled it “simple assault.”
The reporters had to take a week off to recover from their injuries. To date no one has been arrested for the crime.
There was no mention of the attack in the pages of The Virginian-Pilot until Tuesday – more than two weeks later – when columnist Michelle Washington wrote a detailed story on the police department’s handling of the attack and she raised questions about her own newspaper’s lack of coverage.
And she also mentioned another previously undisclosed component to the story.
The day after the attack Forster searched Twitter and found a chilling tweet Washington wrote.
“I feel for the white man who got beat up at the light,” one person wrote.
“I don’t,” wrote another, indicating laughter. ‘(do it for trayvon martin) (sic)”
“Were Forster and Rostami beaten in some kind of warped, vigilante retribution for a killing 750 miles away, a person none of them knew?” Washington wrote. “Was it just bombast? Is a beating funny, ever?”
A police spokesman tells Fox News that the incident is still under investigation and they are also looking at whoever wrote the tweet. But as of now – the case is still a simple assault – and does not rise to the level of a hate crime.
But James Duane, a law professor at Regent University, said he is troubled by the police department’s categorization of the crime.
“This is cause for serious concern,” he told Fox News. “It sounds like it’s much more than a simple assault. Any sort of criminal activity that is engaged spontaneously by a large crowd of individuals especially individuals who are merely strangers to them is a cause for serious concern and ought to be on the part of any police officer or police department.”
Washington wrote that police seemed dismissive when they arrived at the crime scene, telling the injured Rostami to “shut up and get in the car.”
“Both said the officer did not record any names of witnesses who stopped to help,” Washington wrote. Rostami said the officer told them the attackers were ‘probably juveniles anyway. What are we going to do? Find their parents and tell them?”
Duane said it was a “surprising characterization” and said the attack would warrant more charges “and at a minimum a more serious attempt at investigation than what we are led to believe happened here.”
“Even simple assault is still a criminal offense,” Duane said.
The Virginian-Pilot’s readers have been sounding off online – accusing the newspaper and the police department of a cover-up and demanding answers.
“I sincerely believe that the Pilot has acted irresponsibly, and has, by omission, out right lied to its readers,” wrote Thomas McElvy. “This crime, had the roles been reversed and it was two blacks attacked by thirty or more whites, would have made the wire services. All you have done is show your lack of journalistic integrity.”
“This rag did not have the decency to print this story two weeks ago?” wrote Patrick Kenneally. “The police should be ashamed of themselves and a major investigation into what that cop was thinking should be conducted.”
Another writer called it “downright shameful” and said the information needed to “get out so that somebody can clean up the streets.”
The Virginian-Pilot’s editor told Fox News there was debate in the newsroom over whether to cover the story – but in the end they decided not to – because they don’t cover simple assaults.
“We bend over backwards not to treat ourselves any differently than the rest of the community,” Denis Finley told Fox News. “We don’t cover simple attacks. The fact that we know these folks doesn’t make any difference. We don’t want to be perceived as doing something different for ourselves than we would do for the rest of the community.”
Finley strongly denied accusations the newspaper was covering up the story because of the racial component.
“We have no indication that this is racial, no indication that this was anything other than – so far – a simple attack,” he said. “There have been all kinds of innuendo, assumptions, prejudices, you name it revolving around the story but the fact is it was a simple attack and we didn’t put it in the paper.”
He also defended their decision not to cover the tweets that suggested the attack may have had something to do with the Trayvon Martin case.
“That’s another complication,” he said. ‘I don’t know where those tweets came from. I don’t know who said them. Anybody can say anything they want on social media after the fact. I have no idea what those tweets mean – if anything. They’re no different than the attacks that have been leveled on me and the newspaper from some of my readers who have assumed some things that just aren’t true.”
Finley said the incident is a “sticky situation” for the newspaper.
“What would I have to gain by protecting someone who attacked my reporters?” he said. “That’s a preposterous statement to make.”
Michael Finch, a journalism professor at Lee University, believes The Virginian-Pilot did a disservice to their readers.
“It would seem to me this would definitely be a story,” he told Fox News. “In journalism there are seven news values and it seems like this story really meets all seven of them – which is rare.”
“It’s a timely story, it has impact, it relates to a prominent event, it’s in close proximity to their news outlet, it’s a little bit bizarre, it includes conflict and it deals with public concern,” he said. “It’s as good as a news story as you can get.”
Finch said he certainly understands the newspaper’s dilemma “because it was one of their own.”
However, he said, the sheer size of the attack mob elevated the story’s newsworthiness.
And Finley promised that if the police department elevates the crime – they will certainly give the story “due diligence.”
Be sure to get your copy of Todd’s new book — “Dispatches From Bitter America.” Click here!
Related posts:
FOX News Talk
It's not P/C to report the animals conduct and crimes with odumbo in office.
Those Editors must be great at playing the game "Twister" because they have bent in every direction possible in their attempt to justify their actions. I doubt they would have gone to these great lengths if the racial make up had been reversed.
Wow, I'm wondering just "what color" the cops where that took the report? Or if they were just to lazy to do their job! And the newspaper is controlled by the "left wing" media so why would they bother actually covering something like this! This country is so morally corrupt!
Hope and change……. : (
Linda Lee Henry
and sad! How can people think this kind of behavior is okay? I don't understand!
So true
Linda Lee Henry
and sad! How can people think this kind of behavior is okay? I don't understand!
So true
When our leaders are morally bankrupt, it sets an example.
Linda Lee Henry
I know! Hopefully people don't vote for the color of the skin this next November!
Mary! Hopefully people vote for whoever they think will do the best job or in most cases the least amont of damage.
Sandy Allen
I would hope so! I don't know, times are so scary!
True dat! It's all ending in October anyway so let's just party! Lol
only good niqqer is a dead one?
only good niqqer is a dead one?
And where is the outrage over this incident?
…he got out of the car to confront the individual that threw the rock? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
A large majority of blacks are being raised ignorant and hostile towards whites; being fed the BS that they are somehow 'owed' something for slavery that happened centuries ago. The other day I overheard a group of three young men at the local mall casually calling each other 'nigger'.
I'm glad I carry everywhere I go & train in MMA; any of these PoS come after this cracker & they be goin' down.
There has been a rash of such mob violence as this across the country. In Wisconsin, the state fair beatings helped to get a concealed carry law enacted. In cities such as Philadelphia, gangs of similar youths go on race based hunts for victims. The Eric Holder justice department is strangely silent.
And another thing, assault by mob is a felony here. There is a public housing project right up the street from where this happened, the police simply did not want to go there.
What would happen if the editors were beaten by 30 journalists?
I live here in Virginia beach. None of the local news media covered this until yesterday. I even posted on wavy's facebook page and sent fox news the dialogue. Thank you to fox for starting to look into this. The Norfolk police commonly do this. They even blame you if you get your cat broken into. They say leave them unlocked soyoir windows aren't broken. Alsothe publisher of the Virginia pilot is a friend of obama and was nominated for a Hud post.
Cat should be car Lol predictive text
Stupid niggers
Here we go again. Covering up for the savages. When are we going to stop that in this country?
it seems no one knows the difference between right and wrong anymore, even the police.
It's okay to ignore this story, because the victims don't look anything like "What O'Blamies parrents would look like if he had some".
I am sure Eric Holder and Al Sharpton will send a crew there to make sure justice is done. Forster, my son.
This kind of thing is being covered up willfully, if not actively condoned. It is wrong no matter WHO does it.
Reverse discrimination!
I am confused. One guy in Florida kills a young black man allegedly in self defense, and there is even evidence to back this up, and everyone rushed to label it as a hate crime (ABC, NBC, Jessee Jackson, Al Sharpton, the NBP, Eric Holder and the DOJ, and our President, and possibly the police) but when a mob of 30 or so black men choose 2 white people to attack that's a simple assault, not even worthy of examination by the paper or police as a hate crime? Methinks the fox is running the hen house.
We need a nigger.holocaust and to put these chimps down once and for all. Enough!
I love it, the liberals trying to do an evening out and get slammed. Guess what libs, you brought it on yourself, deal with it.
This is exactly why I no longer subscribe to any Newspaper.
Hit them where it hurts and reduce their subscriber base to ZERO!
This is exactly why I no longer subscribe to any Newspaper.
Hit them where it hurts and reduce their subscriber base to ZERO!
A Hate Crime by Blacks? Oh no it can't be, Blacks cannot be racist – only Whites are.
Friggin niggers!
Friggin niggers!
these black thugs, including treyvon martin are in for a big surprise this year and on, that the rest of use are ready to fight back using any force necessary, to put them out of our way. the ones who practice thuggery are right in the crosshairs. not worried about abused version of civil rights any longer, not worried about erring on the side of protection. the blacks do not want peace so I for one intend to grant them their wish.
And this is why I have been labeld a cynic. Because I read these comments and realize that the entire world needs to burn. Why? because of most of you people. Claim to not be racist, but call us animals, ignorant, lazy, and a number of other things. Yes these 2 white…..I take that back, these two PEOPLE where attacked by a group of 30 PEOPLE, and those individuals are animals, who gives a crap what color skin they have, I am so sick and tired of this racist crap. I'm somewhat intelligent, I graduated highschool, and I serve our country. Stop thinking of stuff like this in a White, black, hispanic, asian, did this to blah blah blah, they are simply trash, no matter what color skin they have.
Bring it.
Time to play cowboys and niqqers!
Where is Al Sharpton on this one?
There is nothing surprising about this. The MANI STREAM MEDIA doesn't want to HIGHLIGHT that the MAJORITY of crime is BLACK ON WHITE. That is a FACT and government stats VALIDATE that FACT and it HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR DECADES. Yes, DECADES. Where is Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson on this FACT? Oh, I forgot. Both are PIMPING for BLACKS and KEEPING THEM DOWN, MORALLY and ACADEMICALLY. The DUMBER they can keep them, the MORE CONTROL they have OVER THEM and the better they LIVE OFF LIES they tell black followers. Both are nothing more than CRIMINALS that get PAID to tell LIES and cause DIVISION. They have BLACKS HOOKED on being "VICTIMS" and they PROFIT DIRECTLY from that "VICTIM" mentality as they LIVE LARGE OFF OF IT. Heck Sharption and Jackson are LAUGHING at them with FAT BANK ACCOUNTS. The joke is on the IGNORANT that want to REMAIN THAT WAY.
It irritates me to no end, all we are told is you can't judge a race (black) by the violent, anti social actions of the criminal element within the black race, that is racist and profiling and it happens now.
On the flip side, it's okay to judge all white people over the issue of slavery which ended 150+ years ago and the civil rights movement violence which happened 50+ years ago.
It's this mentality that's rammed down your throat by the media and all the affirmative action groups and the Democratic party that is driving such a divisive wedge into modern society and causing this mess in the first place. The only time it's ever reported is when a white man committed the crime, I can kind of understand, if they went the other way it's all that would ever be on the news but they don't want to shine a light on the apparent cultural defect and pension to violence that exists within the black community that we all are more than aware of. It forces people such as myself to become increasingly aware of race even though I try not to judge, I grew up in a very white rural community if you get my drift, but have always made an effort to not be that way but it is harder every day to not just revert back.
They had the million man march, maybe it's time we had the 50 million man march on Washington, just us white folks this time to voice how utterly tired we are of hearing all the bull shit excuses as to why we have to support and take care of an over whelming number of minorities just because they feel entitled due to past indiscretions. No more crying about slavery, get with the program and do as my wife and myself do, work 40-60 hours a week each so that we can pay our mortgage and our car payments and everything else it takes to raise your family. Utilities, school and city sports fees and equipment, etc, etc, etc….. I have been asked before why I get so mad about it, "it's not like it's yo money!", is what I hear. Yes the fuck it is dickhead and I'm tired of it being wasted on sorry individuals who have no sense of pride, I'd just rather keep it for myself if you are just going to ride on the public dime the rest of your life!
Sorry to rant folks, this kind of thing just pisses me off to no end. Everyone, go buy yourself a handgun and learn how to use it, go get your concealed weapons permit if your state allows it and carry it with you wherever you legally can as you never know when it can save your life. Women especially need to be carrying a handgun, even if it's just a 2 shot.45 pocket derringer. I carry a Kimber 1911 myself and my wife has a Glock 27 compact.40 which is an excellent weapon for a women. Since the government and media are apparently in favor of letting the crimes against whites go unnoticed and unpunished, you better damned well be able to protect yourself.
Look at the viloent crime in America. Do you see a pattern? Is there one race that is mostly to blame?
Are the vast percentage of persons in prison of one particular race? You figure it out for yourself.
Call me whatever you may. I just look at the facts.
Typical black racist attack. It happens in Charlotte all the time and is always sweeped under the rug.
So, if you have a fair complexion or are a Christian, it is OK to beat them down. If it happens to anyone else, the whole country is up in arms. Very sad.
Breaking news here in Norfolk area…the Norfolk Police have identified the juvenile that threw the first rock….16 yo more to follow as things unfold…..FYI.
I think because of the national exposure…..the police had to follow up……regain the trust of their community. The youths were out past curfew, I imagine. Shame on the Virginian Pilot for holding back on this story to begin with……protecting the reputation of the City, but in this time of instant news and the internet….well, secrets are hard to supress….thank goodness for the opinion writer, or no one would have known this occured. The only newspaper in southside Virginia (The Virginian Pilot)had an obligation to their community to report this incident in a timely manner. It wasn't just a felony of the rock hurled at a vehicle, but that it wasn't simple assault, battery occured according to the initial article (2 wks after the incident occured).
I think because of the national exposure…..the police had to follow up……try to regain the trust of their community.
I am disappointed in the Virginian Pilot for holding back on this story to begin with…… but in this time of instant news and the internet….well, news spreads beyond conventional media and is hard to supress….thank goodness for the opinion writer, Michelle Washington or no one would have known this occured. The only newspaper in southside Virginia, in my opinion, had an obligation to their community to report this incident in a timely manner, not two weeks after the fact, much less on the Op-ed page.
Will the police be able to identify those that participated in the beating of the couple? This isn't going to go away. Let's see how the facts unfold via an investigation.
The residents of this area need to get smart and boycott the newspaper and their sponsors….It will hurt their profit because those who committed this senseless act do not buy newspapers…they are thugs and do not work.
-“What would I have to gain by protecting someone who attacked my reporters?”.
Good question. Can be filed with the rest of suchlike:
-What does Commanding General have to gain by bashing his own soldiers and apologizing to the opposing side (I guess calling them enemy could be politically not correct any more)?
-What does Commander in Chief have to gain by dismissing the deaths of his troops and rushing to apologize to perpetrators if they have been offended in any way?
Seems we have a very disturbing trend here when we do love (or just act like we love) those far off, but at expanse of hating our neighbors.
This is typical of the bleeding hearts of the liberal media. They report events that lean towards one version of society with the intent of inequality of journalism. One of the reasons why the press was given so much freedom via the constitution was to have the ability to report the truth without governmental retribution. Instead they have chosen the path of cowardice and misrepresentation of the facts and truth. The truth is that it is more popular and acceptable to report hate crimes against, Asians, African Americans, Indians, Muslims, gay and lesbians and other minority sectors of society. When hate crimes are committed against white people and Christians it becomes non worthy of reporting. When a group of people beat and attack and or kill some from these groups we have special hearings, major public outcry and what not. When two gay men can torture, rape and brutally kill a 12 year old boy in Arkansas those that are supposed to report it sweep it under the carpet. The media is no longer a relevant source of truth and just but that they are the complete opposite.
seems to me that a crowd of thirty attacking someone would inflict more than a weeks worth of damage. A beating by one can put you in the hospital a beating by several can change one's life ask Rodney King. And why do they have to put a color spin on this is? A beating by any number of people should not be looked at by the ethnicity but of the nature of the incident. What lead up to the rock being thrown you know if you are in the wrong neighborhood and see potential trouble do you confront it or walk away until things are clear? So many questions to be answered.
This is just part of political correctness gone wrong. The black man who was killed bye the Hispanic man in FL was immediately labelled a hate crime even tho the shooter said the man attacked him. World news for weeks. But this paper is going to label this a simple assault with no indication of it being racial..Are you just stupid!?!?? A MOB of blacks attacked two whites for no reason other than they were white!! This is a HATE crime. Hen the Twitter. Shows that people didn't care and were racist, yes blacks can be RACIST. Shocking news isn't it? Give me a break. This sickens me. If it was two blacks attacked by 30 whites the media would be in a feeding frenzy screaming racist crap and bringing up lynchings!!! There is no denying this fact. And if anyone wants to claim I'm racist for pointing out the TRUTH don't bother. People who know me know I am not racist. And if you get offended by the term black then you can join my offense at being called white. My skin is not white. I am American plain and simple, then German-American if u want to get detailed. Hate crimes and racism affects everyone, not just one race, and has for thousands of years. And as for the cops, I would like to know what race they were. Most likely they were crapping their pants and wanting to de-escalate the scene so they wouldn't have to face a riot. Shame on them and yes, I think they need to be investigated and fired for negligence.
Amazing
Not a hate crime? Seriously?
Simply another hate crime covered up by the po-po. Time to take care of yoursselves folks.
It's so sad to see that the norm of reporting…is that if it "bleeds it leads" but in this case it's not the right color…
Stop the fighting we are all in the same boat. This is not helping any of us.
That's easy to say, but what do you do when a mob beats on two people (one of them a woman)? Stay silent and hope it goes away? Not me! I'm preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best, and will take action WHEN necessary! Prepare yourselves. It's coming!
Absolutely
The best thing you can do about this is to not purchase the virginia pilot again. Put them out of business. But most of you won't do this. Do you really need to know the garbage they "report" anyway?
It is very important to conceal and carry, especially when dealing with feral apes. When these nigs attack you, gun these niggers down like dogs with no mercy. Aim for their melon heads, they die quickly.
another reason to have a CCW permit!
Isn't every crime a hate crime?