A Letter to the Editors of the Times-Picayune
To the Editors of the Times-Picayune:
On September 6 the Times-Picayune published an article by Brian Thevenot entitled, “Mayor says Katrina may have claimed more than 10,000 lives, Bodies found piled in freezer at Convention Center.” The article quotes Mikel Brooks, an Arkansas National Guardsman, as he described a horrific scene in the Morial Convention Center.
Specifically, Mr. Thevenot reported Brooks describing the bodies of children in the Convention Center, one of which he said had been 7, gang-raped, and murdered when her throat was cut. The other body was “estimated” to be that of a 5-year-old.
Mr. Thevenot adds credence to this story by reporting he actually viewed a “smaller human figure under the white sheet.” He does not report that he actually lifted the sheet and saw the body of a child, but the implication is strong that it actually was a child.
This story received widespread circulation all over the world. I followed the links to your archive and when I read the story there, I regarded it as factual.
Unfortunately, CNN and other news agencies have since reported Police Superintendent Eddie Compass’ statement on September 7 that reports of dead children in the Convention Center were merely “vicious rumors.”
So is Brian Thevenot’s story a “vicious rumor” or not? Media accuracy is extremely important, especially during times of crisis. Either the story is true because you printed it as fact, or it is not true and a correction must be printed.
Personally, it is my hope that no children were harmed or killed in the Convention Center, and I would be glad to hear none were. I realize, however, that admitting such an error would be embarrassing for your newspaper, especially since it was such a widely circulated story. But I have faith in the Time-Picayune’s devotion to accuracy.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Wren
