They covered the O.J. Simpson trial because he was a celebrity, not because it was black on white crime. I do feel that this situation demonstrates the hypocrisy of media. The media were willing to jump on the Duke Lacrosse case but not all over this one. Where are the mugshots of these boys on the front of Newsweek? I feel this crime is even worse and deserves even more coverage, not just because the crime actually happened in this case, but because of the gruesomeness of what was perpetrated. We should be examining this hypocrisy as a culture and examining why these boys felt that they could do this to two fellow human beings.

Sent by Kate | 5:26 PM ET | 05-17-2007

interesting. like we expect the arabs to kill each other, we don't expect any better, at least from our experience, maybe we just expect blacks to prey on people, white or black, and what's to be done? and if the perp is a slug, what are you going to do about it. white on black crime often has some middle class no class white kids who are nonetheless short on criminal records, or at least shorter than their black counterparts. but lots of that is based on NOT getting discriminated against like their black counterpars

Sent by gmb | 5:54 PM ET | 05-17-2007

Hypocrisy?
Never heard of it.
The Don Imus 30-second round of remarks received weeks of media attention, yet this couple (especially Ms. Christian) received DAYS of rapes, beatings, and most likely tortures of which the majority of the nation has not been made aware, yet there has been very little mention of the attack outside of Knoxville. However, court proceedings are underway; it is hoped that the media outside of Knoxville will be more responsive to the trial resulting from this horror.
With or without the media, the almost-guaranteed response of the public will be at the very least, notable.

Sent by John | 6:24 PM ET | 05-17-2007

Actually, the media covered the Duke case because it was an Ivy League school. When it turned out the charges were bogus, they covered that too. The people in this case, both victims and alleged perps, were otherwise unremarkable. Thus, the media doesn't care as much. That's the real lesson from this; the media is celebrity/fame driven (Ivy league students are close enough). As for Michelle Malkin and the right wing pundits, well, the deaths of these victims and the racial dynamics of the situation give them something to latch onto and keep themselves in the public eye, playing to the fears and prejudices of their fans, right? Another word for what she and other conservatives are doing with this story is 'exploitation.' Black on black crime is covered by the media less than any other kind of crime but you don't see Malkin making a big deal about that.

Sent by Tom Pendergast | 7:01 PM ET | 05-17-2007

The internet is flexing its muscles here, by revealing what the MSM refuses to do. Nancy Grace, Bill O'Reilly, Geraldo Rivera covered the Duke "rape" case for weeks on end, when no rape had actually occured. Contrast that to the Knoxville murders where the young victims allegedly had their body parts cut off while they were still alive, yet these typically very talkative TV personalities have said nothing at all. I think everyone is going to question the MSM's credibility a bit more as people realize there is a double standard at work here.

Sent by Tom Burtell | 10:18 PM ET | 05-17-2007

Perhaps this is one of those rare instances where our local media, and the MSM by extention, is exercising restraint for a couple of different reasons. First, sensationalized media coverage would taint the potential jury pool. The public's right to know should end at a defendants right to a fair trial. Second, there are already hate groups lining up to protest against these black defendants. While the heinous nature of the crime offends and sickens me, any punishment should be decided by a jury and the judge, not the publicity seeking groups who will stick their collective noses where they don't belong. As for Michelle Malkin and any other pundit, they don't live in Knoxville, TN (I do) and they are only seeking their own publicity to further their own careers. I applaud our local media for not splashing the gory details of the victims on every headline and newscast. It shows the kind of responsible journalism lacking in most of America.

Sent by Jeff Cutshaw | 11:57 AM ET | 05-18-2007

I think it's worth noting here that the MSM (Chicago Tribune, NPR) are reporting 27 students killed in Chicago over the past year, while the internet bloggers are silent. Where is O'Reilly on this? Why haven't we heard from Malkin? Is Limbaugh talking about this? Where is the outrage? Oh, that's right, the victims, perps and incidents were probably not all Arabs or black folks killing white folks, therefore, their deaths are not exploitable to further a right-wing 'conservative' agenda. So none of those people care.

Sent by Tom Pendergast | 1:27 PM ET | 05-18-2007

Hey Tom Pendergast!
Exploitation? Give me a break. You want exploitation, go see Rev. Al and Rev. Jesse. They will give you a hefty dose.
The media didnt just cover the Duke players, they convicted them, as well. Take off your blinders.

Sent by Johnny | 2:05 PM ET | 05-18-2007

Well on the subject of questionable details, today the local news again reported that the girl was found in SEVERAL trash bags,so yes she WAS dismembered at some point.
http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/7549962.html
About the only thing left that has been questioned by the usual is the boys emasculation after being gang raped and tortured in front of the girl. We'll have to wait a year for that since the judge has now sealed the information.
Also confirmed is that one of the killers belongs to the Black power gang Black Gangsta Disciples.Now who could honestly say if 2 Blacks were killed by Whites who belonged to a White Power gang that the media wouldnt make the Duke coverage pale in comparison or that those charged would not be facing Federal Hate Crime additions?

Sent by Bailey | 8:07 PM ET | 05-18-2007

Thank you for bringing this horrific crime to our attention, Tom.

Sent by Sam | 4:11 AM ET | 05-19-2007

Clear cut double standard...any one deny that the national media would be all over this is the races were reversed?

On the other hand it is not good to inflame racial feeling.

I think that , on sum, the case should be nationally aired ..precicely to explore the double standard.

Sent by Andrew Loewy | 10:03 PM ET | 05-19-2007

Sadly, theminute a white group wants to draw attention to a black on white crime, white racists will show up. This undesired association makes the broaching of many topics impossible. I think there is a sensible anti-illegal alien viewpoint, but the second one tries to voice it, one risks association with the racist nitwits who dominate the topic. So I say nothing.

Sent by jeff | 11:03 PM ET | 05-19-2007

If the James Byrd killing was a hate crime than this was a hate crime. James Byrd had assaulted his assailant's elderly relative earlier that week. That is not an excuse for their brutal attacks but it explains that the attack on Mr. Byrd was not random and although the retaliation was likely escalated because of his race it was not the initial reason for the attack. The media has no credibility when it comes to report on inter-racial crime. If this was black on black crime it also would not receive any reporting. Unfortunately, it probably won't make it to the blogs either. To Mr. Pendergrass, where is Chris Mathews, Oberman, Russert, or anyone on CNN or MSNBC. There silent because it doesn't fit into their left wing agenda, which in my opinion is a communist state where an academic elitist aristocracy make the determination of what the proletarian needs are. By the way what is the right wing agenda?

Sent by Joshua Norman | 1:38 PM ET | 05-20-2007

Let us not forget the true issue here, this is a horific crime, and the fact is that it has not received much media attention. The question is Why? I propose to you that it is a question of racial sensativity. Everyone is affraid of taking a stand lest they be labeled a bigot or racist. What we need is for strong willed individuals to take a stand for what is right and report this story and forget the fact that they might possibly offend approximatly 12% of the US population. In other words, put the race issue on the back burner, and reprot the fact of this crime as they deserve to be reported.

Sent by Dave | 11:01 AM ET | 05-21-2007

Perhaps this is a case the media needs to leave alone. Don't give these defendants any chance for an appeal, undermining of the case in the media, any chance or recourse what so ever. Make them stand trail for the horrendous crimes committed against two human beings and punish accordingly. The media and popular opinion can hurt as much as it can help. Leave it alone, give the prosecutor's room to work, and let the accused stand trial right where they are and 12 Tennessee jurors will take care of their own.

Sent by Wendy | 12:04 PM ET | 05-21-2007

Since when is reporting "news" about offending people? This is not a story that has taken on a life of its own or been sensationalized (i.e. Imus, Duke, etc.) - the FACTS should be reported and this should set an example to Al and Jesse that people of ALL races and colors and religious backgrounds are in need of healing...not just "white folk."

Sent by Dan | 12:53 PM ET | 05-21-2007

I think you are trying to tie this outrage of media bias to extremist groups instead of facing the facts.
White on black crime, whether contrived or real, is big press. Black on white crime is swep under the rugs by the media.
I am not part of any of these groups and I am outraged.
This deserves equal coverage as the Twana Brawley or Duke LaCrosse Team fabrication.

Sent by GLB | 6:14 PM ET | 05-21-2007

Do the circumstances of this crime make it "that unusual"?
Are there similar horrors buried in local media?
The answer is yes.

Look up Wichita massacre and Zebra murders and see what I mean by double standard.

Sent by Andrew Loewy | 8:49 PM ET | 05-21-2007

we all know if it were white criminals an black victims, the news media would be covering this like the second coming of christ,i suggest you e-mail all news media outlets liberal and conservative alike and demand coverage

Sent by matthew a. crawford | 2:45 AM ET | 05-22-2007

That this story would have been handled differently by the MSM had the races of the victims/accused assailants' race been reversed is something even their staunchest apologists would have trouble denying. As I contemplate the reasons why, I have come to two possible conclusions; both of which reveal a latent racism that defies the MSM's pride in championing the cause of oppressed minorities. In two well-publicized cases where the races were reversed, you had (1) publicity that far outweighed the severity of the "crime" (Duke lacrosse rape case) and (2) the immediate and unquestioned designation of "hate crime" added to the murder (James Byrd murder). In the Knoxville murders case, both of these conditions are conspicuously absent. Why? Could it be that only white people can be guilty of hate crimes, and by inference, 'hate' is an added motivation that propels whites to commit such acts, whereas blacks do not need that extra layer of dereliction to commit murder - that they are naturally one step closer to animalistic killing for its on sake? And to contrast the overkill of the Duke case with the paucity of publicity here, does the MSM believe that blacks must be protected (more to the point, protected by them) because, after all, aren't they perpetual victims who are not able to face the same scrutiny that whites can, and must huddle helplessly behind the shield of the MSM and the Sharptons' and Jacksons' of the world?
Heaven forbid that one day the training wheels be forced off and blacks actually be accountable for their individual actions and not constantly handled through the prism and context of their race.
Either way, this smacks of hypocritical racism from the media elites that I hope will be exposed and ultimately thwarted.

Sent by Harry | 9:18 AM ET | 05-22-2007

Just one more example of how the media can run from the truth and not report the news as it should be. If the Knoxville double murder had been reversed the case would have been given national attention. When will the public start hearing the truth and not just what the media wants to report!

Sent by Dave | 2:42 PM ET | 05-22-2007

If you even have to think for more than a second as to if this is a hate crime or not, you do not understand what a hate crime is. Now imagine if these were your kids...

Sent by Craig Schirato | 12:41 AM ET | 05-23-2007

this crime was sooo heinous that one has to believe that it was a hate crime.
there is no doubt in my whole being as a person no matter what color----these animals that did this to that young couple were on a prowl to do just what they did and it was all pre-meditated.
anyone in their right mind would have to sense that!
where are the Reverands---the NAACP and
the rest of the black community??
how come they have not been totally disgusted by this crime and spoken out against these individuals.
if this would have been the opposite of color----lord have mercy---it would be on the front pages of all news media networks------what a shame!!
The NAACP would be calling for some heads to be put on the block-----
i am not looking for a race war----i'm looking for some answers to prevent such a thing.
but untill we ---all of us----white--black---indifferent come to grips with what is going on in this country, let alone the world, we will never find peace amongst ourselves---
yeah---i'm a dreamer-----but reality is what it is----
those animals need to be executed in the same manner that the doled out those peoples execution.
I apologize for nothing that i have said.
thanks for allowing me to vent----
Griff

Sent by Frank Griffo | 12:59 AM ET | 05-23-2007

I have to agree with the posters who argued that the consequences of over-exposure of this case would not do the victims any favors. I would lke to see the perps brought to trial without an overdose of media coverage. I would also like to see them all receive the death penalty. That said - I do wonder what unrecognized repercussions may result from the media silence on this gruesome case. Will other thugs think, "Hey - I guess this was no big deal to folks, after all"? Having no respect for the likes of Sharpton and Jackson, I'm rather relieved we don't have people out there squawking their personal and ideological agendas. However, I hold no illusions about the fact that it could have been me that was carjacked, tortured (you forgot to include that word in your description of the event)raped and killed. It would be nice to think someone out there cared.

Sent by Laurie | 11:40 AM ET | 05-24-2007

As the one posts clarifies - O.J. was a celebrity - that's why the intense coverage. However, the trial perfectly portrayed what is currently wrong with the justice system in this country. The case against O.J.declared that he nearly decapitated a woman and brutally stabbed to death a young man - however, apparently the really crucial piece of evidence in the case was that a man (Mark Furhman) had previously used the 'n' word. That seemed to have brought tremendous insight to the matter and O.J.'s crimes became completely irrelevant in the face of the much larger issue of naughty words that hurt people's feelings. People have a lot of growing up to do before true justice will be served in this country.

Sent by Laurie | 12:02 PM ET | 05-24-2007

A friend on mine just shared this horrific story with me and I went searching the media outlets I usually get my info from (CNN, NPR, NY Times) to see why I knew absolutely nothing about this story. While I was glad to see NPR discussing it, I am dismayed that the majority of posts seem to be using this appalling atrocity as some kind of "gotcha" on the so-called mainstream media. If I'm not mistaken, every media outlet from Fox to Frontline got caught up in the Anna Nicole undertow. But what truly breaks my heart, is that we live in a world where an abomination like the Knoxville rape/torture/ and murder could occur. As a Black woman, I want to know what wretchedness is going on in our community that we cd raise children who cd grow up to do something like this? I was moved to tears and deeply disturbed at what Hugh and Channon had to suffer. God have mercy on us all.

Sent by Lisa | 11:45 AM ET | 05-25-2007

People say the Duke Rape Hoax got coverage because it is an elite university. The problem with this argument is that only a few weeks after these white kids got accused of rape, a black fraternity member got accused of raping a white girl and there was no national media coverage. If the races were reversed in the Knoxville case, this story would of went international. There is no question that the media prefers to make white males look as bad as possible while making non-whites look honnorable or noble. I guess this is "white privilege?"

Sent by Jon ww | 9:45 PM ET | 05-26-2007

Run a google news search on whales and "san francisco" and you will get 3,018 hits. Run the search term "Channon Christian" and you'll get 263 - and that's after 5 months. NPR and Katie Couric and all the rest give plenty of coverage to those stupid lost whales, but to this day NPR hasn't reported word one about the Knoxville murder of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom. Shame on you, NPR.

Sent by Jim Sachsen | 12:10 AM ET | 05-30-2007

How do you know these people committed the crime? Just wait and see what the trial produces. None of us know the truth; because we weren't there when the crimes were committed.

Sent by Beverly | 9:34 AM ET | 05-30-2007

If you go to our friends at FoxNews.com, the most likely to exploit this story to further whatever agenda they are pushing these days, and search on the keyword Knoxville, you'll note the first story is about a bear walking through the streets of knoxville, the second about a state trooper's tryst with a porn star, etc., etc. Pretty warped. You have to look a dozen or so links down to find any mention of the story. What the hell is going on?

Sent by Mike | 11:42 AM ET | 05-30-2007

The only reason I heard about this is because the news was making a big deal about the kkk protesting in knoxville, If it wasnt for that I would not have known about this crime, If the victims were black , thats all I would have heard about on the news , I do not care what kind of group protested ,as long as someone is outraged and brings it attention , It is so doubled standard , If its not a racial hate crime why didnt they do it to a black couple.

Sent by Elaina Maure | 6:57 AM ET | 05-31-2007

What the hell is going on? The story is being suppressed. Which is not surprising since NPR and other outlets also suppressed the second Duke rape allegations. Haven't heard of this case? Well, in early February an 18 year old Duke student alleges she was raped in the bathroom at an off-campus party. The alleged victim is a white women and the alleged perpetrator is a black townie. Considering the Duke Lacrosse case, you would think this would be big news, but there were hardly any stories, and those that did appear didn't mention the race of the victim and perpetrator. I was in disbelief. I wrote the station manager at the local NPR affiliate inquiring about why it wasn't being reported and got a smarmy brush-off. It is disgusting.

Sent by Mac | 7:21 AM ET | 05-31-2007

The main stream media is a joke! CNN's reporting of this crime the other day was disgraceful! The CNN reporter who covered this story showed no compassion for the two kids that were tortured and murdered. After watching this report you would have thought that the bloggers on the internet were the perpetrators. CNN should be ashamed of themselves!

Sent by Glenn | 4:02 AM ET | 06-01-2007

This case is reminiscent of the Wichita Massacre (www.wichita-massacre.com) which was likewise suppressed.

Sent by John | 12:56 AM ET | 06-05-2007

God pray for us all when our politicians and news outlets close their eyes do to fear of one race!!!!

Sent by David | 8:44 PM ET | 06-05-2007

Uh oh...Looks like we get some more animals that need to be put down.

Sent by Defacto 99 | 11:01 AM ET | 06-17-2007

Everyone knows who commits the most violent crimes, but, the media is afraid to tell the truth. Go to www.vdare.com and enter the word "Crime" in the search box. Study the facts.

Sent by Richard | 11:05 PM ET | 06-17-2007

What can one say?. Is incredibly awful. And that the media hardly reports it is racist. Shameful.

Sent by Cristina | 12:16 AM ET | 06-20-2007

The first two lines say it all. This story is stirring a lot of debate in the conservative blogosphere.That's because the liberal blogosphere isn't reporting the story. It is the conservative media that is informing us, and the media gobbling public are wondering why they haven't heard about it when they do find out. Things that make you go...Huh?

Sent by TC | 12:47 AM ET | 06-26-2007

Why "any" debate over the Knoxville murders? Race put aside, this is a horrendous,gruesome crime that simply does not happen every day amoungst any human beings of any color. For the national medias to remain silent on this case is the epitomy of hypocracy.Why publish this story? Why not publish this story? How can those questions possibly even come into play when your talking about the reality of the crime? It "IS" news. Important news for all to know.Is this not the basic function of the large media outlets, to publish the news?

Sent by Thomas G. Condon | 4:36 PM ET | 07-12-2007

Well August, mid month, no mention. Silence speaks volumes. Come on people ... where the hell is the anger????? Pound the hell out of those keyboards. Letters to strategic speakers in mass will get it done.Damnit, get angry!

Sent by ben newton | 9:21 PM ET | 08-07-2007

Duke is an ACC school not Ivy league.

Sent by paul lawson | 11:08 AM ET | 08-23-2007

This case is similar to the case of Dunbar village, where a group of black teens tortured and sexually assaulted a mother and her son. (The details are far too disturbing to post here.) Yet there was little mention of it in the media, so I'm not sure why people are so angry about black on white crime being underreported, when black on black crime hardly gets a mention. The media highlights what they think will get attention and ratings.

Sent by Pepper | 12:20 PM ET | 09-11-2007

A horrific crime definitely. No coverage? The fault only of the white media

Sent by tan2bblack | 4:13 PM ET | 09-20-2007

Although prestigious, Duke is not an Ivy League school. The coverage of "Jena 6", Imus, Duke non-rape case, OJ II (aka OJ in Vegas), Paris Hilton, and such is way, way out of proportion, while at the same time MSM simply ignores this horrendous double kindap-torture-murder. The internet again proves its value as a source of news and information not found in the MSM. Hopefully, the perpetrators will be prosecuted and punished to the fullest. The fact that there are "people" like these perpetrators out there is troubling indeed.

Sent by WestCoastGuy | 4:29 AM ET | 09-23-2007