Globe: Kobe's accuser--role of tabloids

[cally]

So the Globe puts the name of the victim/accuser on the cover with her name. Shows a picture taken at her prom and infers that she wouldn't say no if she could pose like that. How soon will the NYT do the same?

Forget who you believe in the Kobe case, none of us know all the facts yet. But publishing this photo is wrong and implies that any woman who ever acted in a sexual way cannot say no to rape. This brings back the whole idea that there are good girls and bad girls and only bad girls get raped. I am so pissed right now.


_______________________________________________________________________


Did Bonnie Fuller really betray women?
Female editors condemn the Globe for running a tawdry photograph of Kobe Bryant's accuser.

- - - - - - - - - - - -
By Rebecca Traister



Oct. 31, 2003 | The ugliest celebrity spectacle of the year -- the sexual assault prosecution of NBA star Kobe Bryant -- took a notable turn Thursday, when the supermarket tabloid The Globe published a salacious high school photograph of the accuser on its cover. In it, the woman is lifting up her prom dress to reveal a garter belt. The headline reads: "Kobe Bryant's Accuser: Did she really say no?" Next to the photo, in half-inch type, is the 19-year-old woman's name.

The world -- particularly the journalism world -- does not usually pay close attention to the scandal sheets. But there is good reason to this time. For one: The Globe's behavior has been followed in the past by the mainstream media. Back in 1991, it was the Globe that broke with the journalistic tradition of protecting the identity of possible rape victims and revealed the name of the woman accusing Kennedy scion William Kennedy Smith of raping her. NBC and the New York Times eventually followed suit.

The other reason, though, is because the influence of the tabloid press has undeniably increased in recent years. And a main reason for that is the woman -- and lightning rod -- editorially in charge of the Globe: Bonnie Fuller.

Fuller, a veteran editor (Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and YM) spent the past two years revamping the weekly celebrity gossip magazine Us Weekly with enormous success. At a time when circulation and advertising sales were on the skids for magazines, Fuller raised Us' newsstand sales a whopping 55 percent. This summer, she left Us to take on the editorial directorship of American Media, the company that publishes the Sun, the Globe and the National Enquirer, for a package reported to be worth more than $1 million. Though she has focused most directly on the rejuvenation of the company's flagship magazine, the Star, Fuller technically presides over the editorial decisions for each of American Media's titles, including the Globe.


http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2003/10/31/kobe/index.html

[WilliamPitt]

1. Disgusting

[private_ryan]

2. agree

just as disgusting when feminists assume that Kobe is automatically guilty and that the girl is automatically telling the truth.

[WilliamPitt]

3. Not quite

A preponderance of evidence suggests that most women do not cry rape to get attention, but because they have been raped. While it is sure that such false claims do happen, and that assuming guilt before a trial is reprehensible, such behavior does not even exist within the same dimension as what is described above. The magazine painted this woman as a slut and openly suggested she is lying, and published her name. Cry foul at the feminists all you want. The Globe's headquarters should be shuttered forever for this.

[private_ryan]

5. shuttered?

and you should be in jail for disagreeing with Bush. They have EVERY right to do that, whether is moral or ethical is another story.

If she really had sex with three different guys in three days, it may fir somoene's definition of a slut. This is all we know, maybe they know more. Some women are sluts, just as some guys are.

"A preponderance of evidence" means NOTHING. Each case is different and this case looks like it's an example of that.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. I see. What do we call a man that has sex with three different girls in

three days?

[NoKingGeorge]

11. Morality and being civil counts

At least in my house. You say this 'is all we know'. There has been no evidence yet, how do you 'know' anything? Please do not fall into the right-wing trap of fostering the belief that we are not a country of laws, we are. The Globe has a license to lie, mislead , do anything they want in pursuit of a dollar, but you do not have to be ignorant of that (as is the keystone of right-wing control).

[private_ryan]

22. so we should close them down becuase it's immoral to you?

I guess we should ban KKK because we don't agree with their message and DU can't be far behind.

they stuff I said we know was the stuff said in court by his lawyers and the Sheriff, not the Globe.

[NoKingGeorge]

23. please google allegations . Not the same as facts.

Sorry did not mean to imply MY morality, I was referring to basic do-not-kick-the-dog type of morality.Most understand the concept. The KKK had/has anti-rights causes that are in conflict with the Costitution of MY Country (Fact). Allegations made for public consumption (no proof of 3-men )are different than facts.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

26. Frankly we SHOULD ban the KKK. They are an organization that by their mere

existance advocates violence to minorities. They exist SOLELY for a purpose tantamount to yelling FIRE in a crowded theater...i.e. to use their so called right to free speech to advocate harm (not a protected right) I disagreed with ACLU on this matter.

[Zuni]

31. No

We cannot silence groups for disagreeing with them. I agree with the ACLU on this. If we ban the KKK from their right to speak, who is next? I think the KKK is a foul group of inbred retards, but inbred retards have a right to their opinion. There are hard core neo-stalinists who speak at the Anti War rallies and defend vicious tyrants (Ramsey Clark, Brian Becker come to mind) and I would love to see them shut up. I realize their right to speak, even if in defense of Saddam Hussein or Slobodan Milosevic, is more important than my opinions on the issue.
In short, no one should be muzzled for speaking. If they incite or commit violence, then they are committing crimes.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. I've seen more men alleging that the alleged victim is a slut

than I have seen FEMINISTS claiming KOBE is guilty.

[Brian Sweat]

9. You're looking in the wrong places.

I disagree with what the Globe did. The woman's sexual past has no bearing on whether or not she was raped. A woman could willingly sleep with every other man on the planet, but if she doesn't want to have sex with me and I force her to, it is rape.

On the otherhand, there are been plenty of people right here on DU who assume that Bryant is guilty and have even complained about the legal steps that his defense team.

[private_ryan]

13. I'm not missing anything

even a call girl can get raped, but it's harder to prove in court.
Also the fact that she might've had sex with a nother guy right before him it's very relevant, especially if you're saying "he made me bleed". Which one is to blame for the blood?

[Scairp]

17. Sure you are

A girl who was made to bleed during a consensual sex would hardly go out and and have sex again the very next day. Gee, THAT would be comfortable wouldn't it? Tell me all of you ladies, how many of you bleed regularly during sex? This is so much crap I can barely stand it. And have any one of you given a thought to the hundreds of death threats this young woman has already received? If something happens to her, either she or her surviving family members will have a wrongful death lawsuit that will put this birdcage liner out of business for good.

[cally]

8. Did you even read the post

I was not assuming Kobe is guilty. The point was that the Globe posted her name and picture with her at the prom. No major news organization would do so but they may follow the tabloids and publish her name and picture. The second issue is why use a "sexy" picture of her at her prom. The implication is that because she is sexy that she cannot say no to sex.


PR..can you please leave behind your obsession that all women lie and think about the issue of tabloids and how they enable other news sources to publish stories they normally would not.

On edit: I was talking on the phone as I was writing. My post did not make sense.

[private_ryan]

10. they're tabloids

that's all they do and that's what makes them money.

Who complained when the girl (via her friends) released details that made Kobe look bad (about supposed the marks, wounds)? I was answering William actually, not you. And I'll leave behind my obsession about whatever you atributed me of saying or thinking when the other side leaves theirs behind.

[Zuni]

4. I am not sure if this

or the Zell Miller thing pissed me off more this week. The Globe has taken trash reporting and gone to a new low.
I am not saying the girl is telling the truth, or that Kobe is innocent or even taking sides in this case. I have no idea what happened. But that girl is getting her name dragged through the slime by the defense team and the internet and now by Tabloid papers. I feel bad for her---the accusations and such made by the defense to make her look bad. if she was indeed raped, this would be a huge travesty of justice as the kind of slanders made against her would make it harder for women to come out in the future and press rape charges.
The Globe, the Internet sleazebags, the Defense Team (even though their job is to discredit the prosecution) and Michael Savage should be ashamed of themselves. Rape is an atrocity, and this will make it harder for people to press charges in the future.

[NoKingGeorge]

16. That's sad. A tabloid inhibits a womens right,just for a buck.

If a women somewhere is intimidated by the actions of a decietful , sellout tabloid from pursuing her rights then the folks who work there have aided and abetted a crime. Do they sleep well ?

[Zuni]

19. My thoughts exactly

Who knows how many rapists will go free because of this incident. If I were a girl and was raped, I would have to think twice about pressing charges after this sleaze.

[webDude]

12. I guess my 80 year old Aunt who was beaten black and blue, raped and...

left for dead was a "bad" girl. I'm sure she was regretting her "decision" as she pulled herself out of the woods, to the roadside, where a good Samaritan found her, naked, and got help.

All I'm saying is 1) WAIT for the facts to play out before you start any salacious allegations, either way, and 2)Once and for all, RAPE IS NOT ABOUT SEX, it is about de-humanization. I would not be suprised if a good amount of the victims were fairly elderly, certainly not pin-up models, although maybe wonderful people.

[cally]

15. I know

I am not promoting that idea just acknowledging that this is a mindset of many. I've fought long for rape to be viewed as a crime and not about sex. I'm sorry if I did not make my point clearly.

[el_gato]

14. another none issue to keep your mind occupied

fuck kobe and the girl he rode in on

I DON'T CARE

[Zuni]

18. I think this is a major issue

Do you understand why we have rape shield laws and things to protect alleged victims? Do you understand how this might discourage women from pressing charges if they are raped in the future?
It is a huge issue, and has deep ethical considerations.

[el_gato]

20. the rule of law is crumbling all around us

we are living in a state of tyranny

i can't waste my time with kobe, o.j. or anything else in the tabloids

[trumad]

21. Just remember this

If you try to profit financially at the expense of another Human being in a manner like the Globe has, those responsible will someday meet with the same fate... What comes around goes around!

[el_gato]

24. i certainly hope so trumad

i just happen to feel like this is
another distraction, that's all

[Zuni]

34. violating rape shield laws

is not just another distraction. It is a major infringement on a victim's rights.
Our discussion is not about the celebrity rape case--it is about victim's rights

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

25. Rape is a NON ISSUE? The girl he rode in ON????

Pretty barbaric language there. No wonder it was so easy for George Bush to get elected. I am truly REPULSED at the thought level/ linguistic unconsciousness of some.

Truly repulsed.

[Rich Hunt]

27. El Gato isn't saying rape is a "non-issue"

I care a lot about rape, but I happen to agree with El Gato.

It's all a lot of tabloid crap, and I don't think media-hyped celebrity trials should be the basis for discussion of serious issues, because no one knows WTF is going on.

[cally]

28. But the Globe violated rape shield laws

which will make it easier for ignoring these laws in other cases. It is not a minor issue nor a distraction from more serious issues to me.

[Zuni]

35. exactly

This is a major ethical/moral issue and it is by no means minor. This could have a huge impact on future rape victims.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

39. Minor correction: It is journalistic etiquette not to name alleged rape

victims. It isn't part of the rape shield laws that apply to court room strategy NOT journalism.

[el_gato]

29. Rape is Serious, Celeb trials are not

thanks dymaxia

don't put words in my mouth nothingshocksmeanymore.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

30. I didn't have to, I read your post...THE GIRL HE RODE IN ON????

Let's candy coat it as though there was actually some high minded intent behind that disgustingly sexist comment...that will make it better.

[el_gato]

32. think whatever you want i don't care

but you're the one that said i didn't think rape was serious

which i didn't say, of course you know that.
instead you would rather turn it into some inflammatory hysterical
bullshit

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

40. You said it was a non issue. And your use of the term "hysterical" to tar

someone who challenges you on that point is nothing short of an ad hominem attack since your position that it is a NON-ISSUE is indefensible.

Next time, be responsible for what you do say and you are less likely to be challenged on point. Until then, I suspect you will resort to name calling and stereotyping since it is the bastion of security for those who choose not to think before they type.

[el_gato]

41. you're the one that jumped to hyperbole not me

by saying i didn't think rape was a serious issue, which of course i did not say. so until you are ready to be honest don't waste my time.

I guess you have to resort to straw man arguements because you have nothing else.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

42. These are your exact words. One need not even have a COMMAND of

the english language ( or spelling for that matter) to see that my interpretation was correct:

another none issue to keep your mind occupied

In your free time, BTW, you might want to look up the definition of STRAW MAN since you very obviously don't know what it means given the context in which you used it.

[Zuni]

33. you said it.

You said it was a non issue. This athlete, who might be a role model for thousands of kids, may have raped a girl.
That is not a big deal? I am not into tabloid journalism/paparrazi but this is still a big deal.

[Zuni]

36. It is not about celebrity---this is about victim's rights

and an alleged victim was violated by a sleazy, immoral publication. The Globe has just allowed 100 rapists to escape justice because girls will not want to be harassed like this girl.

[el_gato]

37. it is on the cover of the globe because it is a Celeb trial

no other reason

[sujan]

38. Kobe is innocent until proven otherwise