No trials by media

Here’s an explanation that might not satisfy everyone.

But give it a try.

WSAV reporter Alex Bozarjian was doing a live report on a road race in Savannah, Ga. on Dec. 7, when a passing runner, later identified as Thomas Callaway, a Boy Scout leader and church youth volunteer, appeared to reach out and smack her on the butt.

The described behaviour is in no way acceptable. Doing your job in a public place doesn’t mean it’s open season for anyone to make unwanted physical contact or even shout obscenities.

As Bozarjian’s employers were quick to point out: “The conduct displayed toward Alex Bozarjian during her live coverage of Saturday’s Savannah Bridge Run was reprehensible and completely unacceptable … No one should ever be disrespected in this manner. The safety and protection of our employees is WSAV-TV’s highest priority.”

The sooner people in the public — particularly star-struck, oafish males who have a lot of growing up to do — recognize that and modify their behaviour, the better for us all.

There are a host of different headlines about the case: “Runner who allegedly smacked TV reporter’s backside charged with sexual battery,” “Runner who allegedly sexually assaulted reporter has been arrested,” “Man accused of slapping reporter’s backside on air charged with sexual battery.” And that’s where things get interesting.

On social media, where video of the situation took off internationally, some interesting questions have been raised, not only about Callaway’s behaviour, but also about the way the news media reported the event.

Here’s a sample that explains the latter issue succinctly: “Just wish they’d stop putting ‘accused’ and ‘alleged’ before his name WE HAVE IT ON VIDEO.”

So, why “alleged”? Why “accused”?

The reason is both simple and complicated — criminal charges are involved.

And that changes everything.

Justice systems in the Western world are based on the presumption of innocence.

Accurately reporting on cases in those justice systems involves recognizing that people accused of crimes are considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

It sounds like splitting hairs, but it’s both arcane and necessary.

The facts are, in many ways, not in a great amount of dispute: the television reporter says she was slapped on the backside, the video shows that happening, and the man involved admits he did something he shouldn’t have done (although he maintains he touched her lower back).

But, right now, the media can’t actually report that Callaway committed a sexual assault, because it wouldn’t be accurate.

You could argue that, given the available evidence so far, there’s a fair likelihood Callaway will plead guilty or be convicted. But his conviction is not our job.

Sure, it’s frustrating.

But the media are not substitutes for the justice system, nor should they be. And neither, by the way, are social media.