In an April 16 article it was reported that a ”supermarket tabloid”
printed the name of the ”victim in the alleged assault at the Kennedy estate.” The Tribune said its policy, and a Florida law, forbid printing the name of the victim.
It seems, however, the Tribune has no qualms about reporting the name of the alleged perpetrator. William Kennedy Smith`s name has been in all the newspapers, including the Tribune, since the story broke. The use of the word ”alleged” is not just formality; in our country a person is innocent until proven guilty. If the Tribune aims to protect the identity of the innocent, why report Smith`s name?
Smith`s name is reported only because of the ”Kennedy” always printed within it. The Tribune`s intentions are no more or less pure than the tabloid`s interest. He could still turn out to be the innocent victim of sensationalism perpetrated by the media.
Let`s not think too harshly of the Tribune, though. It`s just pandering to the ignorance of criminal defendants` rights prevalent among the masses. Americans have noble institutions, but they have forgotten why.
