Newsboom Media Literacy Report
'If we think it's abuse, it's abuse'
Newsroom · Read original
This is Newsboom Unbiaser's opinion on how selected sentences in the article "'If we think it's abuse, it's abuse'" by Newsroom would look if they avoided biased language. It highlights specific framing choices and suggests objective alternatives. It does not contain, replicate, or replace the original reporting. To read the full original article, visit the original publisher. To read an unbiased version, download Newsboom and run it while reading the original article.
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Since at least the 1990s, the idea that certain unexplained injuries in infants are “highly indicative” of abuse has been standard practice in hospital child protection units, including Starship Hospital’s Te Puaruruhau.
More neutral wording: Since at least the 1990s, the assessment that certain unexplained injuries in infants may be indicative of abuse has been a standard practice in hospital child protection units, including Starship Hospital’s Te Puaruruhau.
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However, a recent criminal trial in Dunedin has raised serious questions about the validity of this practice and whether some parents are being wrongly accused and sometimes convicted of harming their infants when other medical causes for the injuries are being overlooked.
More neutral wording: A recent criminal trial in Dunedin has raised questions about the practice of assessing certain unexplained injuries in infants as indicative of abuse, and whether some parents are being wrongly accused and convicted when other medical causes for the injuries may be overlooked.
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In this case, covered extensively in the latest season of Newsroom podcast Diagnosis of a Crime, a young father and professional athlete was accused of causing multiple rib fractures to his four-week old son.
More neutral wording: This case, covered in the latest season of Newsroom podcast Diagnosis of a Crime, involved accusations against a young father and professional athlete who was accused of causing multiple rib fractures to his four-week-old son.
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Following reports from doctors at Dunedin Hospital and Starship, police concluded the baby’s rib fractures were found to be the result of abuse from “someone known to him” – a finding that led to his parents being placed under supervision and the pro athlete facing charges.
More neutral wording: Following reports from doctors at Dunedin Hospital and Starship, police concluded that the baby’s rib fractures were determined to be the result of abuse by someone known to him.
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During the father’s three-week trial, the jury heard from three American expert witnesses.
More neutral wording: During the father’s three-week trial, the jury heard from three American expert witnesses.
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Mack is an assistant professor of radiology at Penn State University, is board certified in paediatric radiology and has co-authored dozens of studies.
More neutral wording: Dr.
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Testifying for the defence, Mack said the fractures could be explained by normal stresses acting on bones affected by the baby’s severe vitamin D deficiency, a factor that was dismissed by the New Zealand doctors.
More neutral wording: Testifying for the defence, Dr.