Determination 39: Ben Sternberg v. Minneapolis Tribune
Ben Sternberg, professional boxing promoter, complained that the newspaper, through the use of inflammatory graphics and writing and the manipulation of facts, falsely implied in an article that he was a racist and somewhat of a Mafia figure.
Background: The newspaper feature about Sternberg and his role in Minnesota professional boxing reported that he controlled most of the pro boxing action in the state. It also contained charges of impropriety and racism leveled against Sternberg by rival boxing promoters and by two local minority fighters.
The article included Sternberg’s denials of all the charges and printed favorable comments about him from several people in Minnesota boxing.
Sternberg complained to the paper’s reader’s representative, who subsequently wrote a column about the matter. The paper also printed a letter to the editor critical of the article and a correction of a factual inaccuracy in the story.
Sternberg claimed the article underplayed his denials and explanations of many of the charges. In addition, he said many reputable people in Minnesota boxing had talked to the reporter and given him favorable information about Sternberg but had not been mentioned or quoted in the article. He also complained that the paper had only printed one of several letters to the editor that were critical of the article.
Response of the news organization: The paper responded that the article was balanced and the reporting thorough. The charges of racism were not made through innuendo but in direct quotes, said the paper, and Sternberg’s denials of all charges were included in the article. The paper also said some comments made about Sternberg added nothing to the article in the reporter’s judgment and were not used for that reason. The paper defended a reporter’s right to decide what material to include in a story.
Determination of the Council: The newspaper did create a negative impression of Ben Sternberg through the use of sensationalism, innuendo and unbalanced reporting. The style and structure of the article were designed to create a dramatic effect and to play upon the public’s general willingness to assume the worst about the professional boxing world. The article highlighted the charges of racism and impropriety against Sternberg while playing down his denials.
The article did contain both favorable and unfavorable information about Sternberg, but the order in which it was presented tended to emphasize the unfavorable. In addition, sensational headlines and a photograph of Sternberg at ringside wearing dark glasses created the impression that he was some sort of a sinister “Mafia figure.” Where the paper attempted to present Sternberg’s side of the story, the way in which the material was presented tended to add credence to the charges against Sternberg.
While the right of a news organization to decide which facts and quotes to use in a story and the need for provocative leads and illustration are recognized, a news story, particularly one which involves charges affecting a person’s reputation, should be fair, balanced and thorough. The newspaper failed to meet those standards in this case.
The complaint against the newspaper is upheld.
Concurring: Anderson, Fairbanks, Foley, Forsythe, Froyd, Fushan, Hedberg, Hetland, Hickman, Howell, Miles, Myers, Peterson, Provost, Rodriguez, Ryan, Selby, Shaw, Spielman, Stevens, Whiting
Dissenting Opinion: Staples Ben Sternberg seems to be a public figure about whom there is controversy. I think the newspaper addressed that controversy by presenting Sternberg as a person of substantial influence in boxing about whom there were conflicting opinions. From the printed article, I did not feel that Sternberg came across as a racist. I also feel that the paper went out of its way to deal with Sternberg’s complaint.
Tags: Minneapolis Tribune