New York Times’ unbalanced report on rape sparks outcry

It is common to blame victims of gender crimes while favouring the criminals. The mainstream media sometimes perpetuates this attitude.

A recent instance is this New York Times story by James C McKinley Jr of the gang rape of an eleven year old girl in a small town in the US, the police investigation, and the subsequent arrest of suspects. The article insensitively highlighted the reactions of the local community that questioned the behaviour of the girl and her mother, and expressed concern about the impact on the perpetrators' lives. Further, it revealed enough information to enable easy identification of the child.

Ironically the report was dated March 8, International Women's Day.

International outrage, criticism in publications like the Huffington Post, Village Voice, London’s Daily Mail and Alternet.org, and a Change.org petition with over 40,000 signatures compelled the New York Times public editor, Arthur S Brisbane, http://publiceditor.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/11/gang-rape-story-lacked-balance/?src=twrhp to rebuke McKinley. The newspaper also issued a clarification statement.

The response, though heartening, cannot undo the girl's pain.