Fox 32 reporter Rafer Weigel has come under fire over his reporting on the Jussie Smollett investigation because of his use of anonymous sources within the Chicago Police Department:
As a reporter you have a responsibility to verify the truth. You do not have a responsibility to report lies told you by someone abusing their authority. That is what is happening in the Chicago Police Department. It’s been going on for far too long. You’re part of the problem.
— Karri Wilharm (@dramaQkarri) February 5, 2019
And as Weigel so helpfully points out, there seems to be some disconnect here as anonymous sources on, say, Donald Trump are held up as the gold standard of reporting:
How do you know it’s not the truth
? Anonymous sourcing is the backbone of journalism. Do we know the truth about the Mueller investigation? No but reporters tell what inside sources are saying. I reported what an officer says he saw on tape. I stand by my reporting.— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 5, 2019
Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson has been criticizing reporters for using anonymous sources from the police department as well:
Unless you and @deray have personally seen the surveillance video and know what is on there and what actually happened your criticism is unwarranted and unfair and merely based on resentment that what is being reported conflicts with a narrative you want.
— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 5, 2019
Sick burn right here:
I’m not saying that Smollett is lying. I’m reporting what my sources close to the investigation are telling me. You attacking me and the media because you don’t like it makes you no different than the President.
— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 5, 2019
Keep in mind, remember when “hand up, don’t shoot” was taken as 100% gospel?
In protest, "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" is the re-appropriation of the pose of surrender into the stance of resistance.
— deray (@deray) April 29, 2015
DeRay isn’t happy with Weigel’s answer:
No, my criticism isn’t based on “resentment,” @RaferWeigel. I’m noting that you *literally* print *every* thing that the Chicago Police tell you about Jussie & have not indicated that you’ve done any research of your own — just these random PD “sources.” https://t.co/bFzVDmsicP
— deray (@deray) February 5, 2019
And Weigel fired right back:
Because they are the ones closest to the investigation. I am not saying anything beyond what they’re telling me and what #Smollett has said. Just as WH aides leaked the “executive time” story. That’s how anonymous sourcing works. Please tell me what I should be doing differently
— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 5, 2019
Forget about it:
I understand that emotions are high with with this story but quoting anonymous sources has been the backbone of journalism for years. Anyone who doesn’t understand that is no different than the President who attacks the media for stories he doesn’t like.
— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 5, 2019
They will never believe this is the case:
I only quoted a source close to the investigation. The recent story about Trump’s inauguration committee being subpoenaed was also based on anonymous close to the investigation.
— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 5, 2019
Oh, and Weigel has called out both sides here:
We the “lying liberal media” are your sources for this article @gatewaypundit . https://t.co/bUqDnyAKYC
— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 4, 2019
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Related:
Chicago Police Superintendent: Jussie Smollett 'will be held accountable' if he made a false report https://t.co/Z7qQyw7XAK
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) February 5, 2019
ICYMI ==> Here’s the Chicago PD’s original Jussie Smollett incident report (released after FOIA request) https://t.co/DBJXOZDcBH
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) February 5, 2019