Success! New York Times Public Editor Says Child Rape Story "Lacked Balance"

In a matter of days, over 40,000 Change.org members have sent emails expressing outrage over a recent New York Times article that insinuated an 11-year-old Texas girl was to blame for her own gang-rape. This afternoon the public editor, Arthur Brisbane, took note of this outpouring by condemning the article's lack of "balance" in his blog on the paper's website. The appalling piece in question included community gossip about what the preteen victim wore and who she hung out with.

Brisbane wrote in his post:

My assessment is that the outrage is understandable. The story dealt with a hideous crime but addressed concerns about the ruined lives of the perpetrators without acknowledging the obvious: concern for the victim.

While the story appeared to focus on the community’s reaction to the crime, it was not enough to simply report that the community is principally concerned about the boys and men involved – as this story seems to do. If indeed that is the only sentiment to be found in this community – and I find that very hard to believe – it becomes important to report on that as well by seeking out voices of professional authorities or dissenting community members who will at least address, and not ignore, the plight of the young girl involved.

Brisbane’s blog post is not an apology, nor does it go far enough in explaining that "balance" does not mean giving equal weight and space to the concerns of the child rape victim and those of her alleged rapists. In addition, as the blog post only appeared online, we have yet to see whether a condemnation of the coverage will also appear in his regular Sunday column (or anywhere) in the paper. But as the public editor of the New York Times holds a respected place in the journalism community, his words sent a message to reporters at publications across the country that victim-blaming is never appropriate.

Just as important, 40,000 Change.org members sent a message to those same reporters that readers will hold them accountable for blaming victims for their own assaults. This is a step forward on the long road to ridding the media of misogyny and forcing our entire culture to take rape, and rape victims, seriously. You can join their call for the New York Times to issue a formal apology and to begin a dialogue about the media's penchant for victim-blaming by signing the petition here.