Gordon Matilla---Disparaging articles, negative media remarks and public discourse in social media and other arenas often assume guilt of people in the news before the facts are in. As a consequence innocent people can be hurt initially or long term because research shows people read what they believe and hold to initial reports on events as truth, even when new information proves they are false. As a consequence public figures like Governor Christie of New Jersey often don't survive the continuing attacks and discussions that emanate from the worst, even when the real facts are revealed.It has been substantiated by emails that aides to Governor Christie set up the closing of bridge lanes leading from New Jersey to New York in order to take revenge on those who did not support the Governor's election campaign or his political agenda. Recent news reveals authorities are also questioning whether Governor Christie used funds given for the state's recovery from Hurricane Sandy for political campaign purposes. There are also allusions to other faults as well. All of this makes for high profile news, with the public's right to know cited as the reasons for the revelations; but it is not the fact the news is given, it's how it is delivered that makes a difference in the long-range consequences to people's lives and reputations.
How news is reported often slants public opinion. That includes the pictures chosen to argue a point or present information in a fashion that leads to a conclusion that just might be false. And some news outlets are taking polls of public opinions in their rush to judgment.
The United States prides itself on its dictum that an individual is innocent until proven guilty. Yet often the public has long since decided on someone's guilt, bringing individuals to the point of hysteria when the real facts are unveiled, as they hold dearly to the falsehoods, fearful of the admission they might have been duped.
While the investigations concerning Governor Christie continued, controversies continued, despite the fact the whole of evidence was not complete. This is in spite of frequent reminders made that each person who believes in the notion of innocent until proven guilty must sit back and sift through reports as they are given and be willing to wait to make a conclusion until the facts are in. For that is the notion of justice for everyone, including politicians, movie stars and other public figures, for they too have the same protections when it comes to judging whether an individual is guilty or not, under the same banner of justice the rest of the people enjoy.
Governor Christie's experience is similar to other events that include the shooting of unarmed people on the city streets and other high profile issues. When the details are made evident, it is then people can turn to each other with discussion, finger pointing and blame. But as most things have been found over time, the truth prevails with patience mixed with good thought and a healthy degree of skepticism, according to the experts.
