Sex, lies and journalism

I was watching one of those lawyer movies on TV the other night and these two lawyers were discussing a case and one says to the other, "You know as well as I do it's the accusations that make the headlines, not the ruling. The damage is already done."

I could not help but think of my friend and colleague MR whose name was thrashed and reputation butchered in the pages of The Jakarta Post under a huge headline reading American teacher accused of rape.

Except for a letter to the editor written in defense by Mr. R himself, I have yet to see any news of the outcome of those sensational accusations. Perhaps your readers would be interested to know that the result of this rape charge was a very unsensational nothing.

This particular charge, just like other charges made by Dr. S, was simply, quietly, and immediately dismissed by the police as being totally groundless. I suppose it was so mundane and un- newsworthy as to rate not even the most minuscule headline in your paper. Sadly to say, those movie lawyers were right.

MARTY LESESNE

Jakarta