It's official; we live in a police and Facebook state.
It began with a "Shots fired" 9-1-1 call to Coronado Police around 2:30a.m. on New Year's morning. It ended minutes later with ABC, CBS, NBC, and the independent KUSI, reporting absolutely nothing new concerning the three dead men and one dead woman independent of what police officials released, for over 12 hours.
What reporting?
As expected in a case of four dead people, media stayed on the story all day. Yet the reporting other than the arrival of NCIS, never changed. If neighbors were interviewed they weren't quoted. Thus, other than a two sentence sound bite, the question must be asked: what coverage? This case illuminates the difference between "media" and "journalism."
Who writes this stuff?
Although there was no news beyond the headlines, NBC "coverage" won for "Dire need for an editor" after checking in with "after contacting him it was determined he was dead" from Lt. Larry Nesbit of the sheriff’s homicide detail, referring to the closest dead man whose body was lying near the doorway.
San Diego UT coverage, typically vague and likely to remain so since "partnering" with television media, was slightly worse after being purchased by "Papa Doug" a millionaire real estate and anti-gay mogul.
No news there. But in fairness, I've long said the UT's Public Safety reporters lack of coverage about restraining orders solutions will playing a role in getting women killed.
However, and most interesting about the UT's no news coverage concerned those commenting about the triple murder, likely suicide. Well, almost commenting about the case.
Almost immediately people flocked to the site after one person jokingly referred to Coronado as a "ghetto." Within minutes, 30 people checked in to angrily defend Coronado's property values. The crime involving at least three dead people was forgotten so San Diegans could demonstrate their shallow, ugly side.
Just a mention
Years ago after the kidnap-rape-murder trial of David Westerfield, prosecutors revealed they'd gotten a major clue from someone commenting on the case, most of whom thought Westerfield was innocent. But on December 12, 2002, the public learned just how helpful readers were after the UT reported Prosecutors gave credit to the person writing in the comments section, that the DA had likely measured the length of Daneille Van Dam's hair. The DA hadn't thought to during the trial, but after reading a single comment which wound up making a huge difference for the case, they did. So UT readers commenting became crime solvers as a sort of online, Neighborhood Trial Watch. It was cool...and those days are over.
Facebook's attack on free speech
Facebook is now in charge of the UT's comments section and filters comments they deem objectionable. Bad language isn't the only factor. If Facebook doesn't like the tone or subject, the person commenting is toast.
Most are unaware of the change, and the UT certainly isn't making it known they no longer control input. Facebook isn't mentioning its aggressive pursuit to host the comments section for free for newspapers across the country.
So between no news reporting beyond quoting police releases and Facebook, America's quietly morphing into a police, Facebook state.
Happy new year, America.
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