[Imc-web] responsible journalism

[Belden Fields]

Hi Danielle,

I was just rereading your e-mail re: what is fit to print on the IMC  
website.  There you write that "Because I have seen many primary  
documents in this case, I do know that the statements that Stacy has  
accused other men of color with similar acts is very probable."  Yet,  
at the end of your e-mail, where you are talking about responsible  
journalism, you say that "It would stick to only that which can be  
well documented."  I would say that "very probable" in your mind is  
very different from "well documented" as I, and I think most people,  
would understand it.   We have two very serious issues here, an  
accused person's right to a fair trial regardless of his or her race,  
and an accuser's right to file a criminal complaint if he or she  
feels criminally abused without being punished by media of exposure  
of accusations that are not, in your words, "well-documented."  I  
don't have to tell you that just as racism has resulted in unjust  
criminal verdicts, so has the attempt to destroy the reputations of  
women resulted in their reluctance to press chargers against sexual  
abusers.  If the IMC is not careful on both counts, it is our  
reputation as fighters for social justice across the board that will  
suffer.  Given feedback I have been getting, it is already suffering.
In friendship and solidarity,
Belden