SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES
Is it wrong to release personal information of Marshawn Lynch’s false accuser?
Oct 3, 2014, 1:59 PM | Updated: Oct 4, 2014, 7:53 am
She falsely accused Marshawn Lynch of assault. So should a woman's personal information be publicized as well now that police say she committed a crime? (AP file)
(AP file)
A local TV reporter is coming under fire for tweeting a photo of police documents that reveal the name, address and phone number of a woman who made false accusations against Seahawks star Marshawn Lynch.
The Bellevue Police Department announced Thursday it was recommending the city attorney file a criminal charge against the woman for alleging Lynch assaulted her and damaged property in August.
The department released a statement of probable cause outlining its investigation and determination the woman should be charged with making a false or misleading statement to a public servant.
While the document is public record, KIRO TV (no connection to KIRO Radio) reporter Amy Clancy was the only member of the local media to share the documents, posting a link and a picture on her twitter feed Thursday.
The name of anyone investigated for a crime becomes a matter of public record. The public should know this. @tifotter @BvuePD @KIRO7Seattle
— AMY CLANCY (@ClancyKIRO7) October 3, 2014
Plenty of Seahawks fans have pummeled the woman on social media, saying she deserves to be outed for dragging Lynch through the mud.
But she hasn’t been charged with a crime, at least not yet. Acclaimed journalist and media blogger Jim Romenesko points out on his blog Friday while the information is public record, “I found this troubling. Her name, address and phone number are now out there to the thousands of Seahawks fans.”
Callers to KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson Show say while they think the woman’s name should be publicized, revealing her personal information goes way too far.
“I think letting her name out there is perfectly fine, I mean it’s only fair play,” says listener Josh in Everett. “But if somebody has their address and phone number and she’s getting calls and threats and things of that nature, it just seems like it’s getting into her personal life in a way that even Marshawn Lynch couldn’t. People wouldn’t have been calling him on his phone number,” he says.
In response to the criticism, KIRO TV news director announced Friday that Clancy had deleted the tweet from her feed, saying the station understands the concerns raised but not apologizing.
Yesterday, KIRO 7 tweeted out a police report. Please see linked jpeg for response. pic.twitter.com/jUhJxivlyZ
— Jake Milstein (@MilsteinKIRO7) October 3, 2014
What do you think?
