Gay bias in Kentucky’s media?
Trial’s news coverage reveals slant toward paper’s editorial position
From, The Kentucky Citizen Digest, January/February, 2001.

The gay agenda has been moving forward in Kentucky at an ever-increasing pace over the last 10 years. Last summer brought their victories to a crescendo when three Kentucky cities passed civil rights ordinances recognizing gays and lesbians as  a special class of citizen.

People disagree as to why things have moved so quickly, but one of the reasons consistently suggested is the natural ally the gay activists have found with the media. An interesting case study of media bias involves the legal proceedings around the sodomy trial of former Lexington community leader Ron Berry. Though not directly related to the actual gay legislative agenda, it still reflects what most would regard as a very unhealthy bias in favor of homosexual activity.

The Facts of the Case

When the headlines listed below were written, Ron Berry, a Black community youth worker, supported and promoted by the Lexington city government, had been charged with 12 counts of sodomy with underage minors and had had two trials be declared “mistrials” in Lexington. By now, so convinced were city officials of his guilt that city attorneys had already settled with four other plaintiffs in a civil suit regarding Berry’s sexual abuse of them.  This was done even before a court had found him guilty and without any investigation by the city.

The Setting at the Newspaper

Now the third trial begins with the change of venue to Louisville.  The Lexington Herald-Leader has editorialized repeatedly for gay rights, supported the Lexington “fairness” ordinance in 1999, opposed the passage of House Bill 70 in the 2000 Assembly (which protected religious organizations from the gay agenda), and has a company nondiscrimination policy toward “sexual orientation.” Will they try to raise doubt about Berry’s guilt?

Here is a listing of the headlines in the Lexington Herald-Leader as they covered the story of the Berry re-trial. Note the four actual trial coverage headlines.  Is there pro-gay bias in the media? You make the call.
 

Lexington Herald-Leader Headlines

— 3/06/2000 Ron Berry’s sodomy retrial starts today
                    Micro-City ex-chief to be tried in Louisville

— 3/07/2000 Berry trial witness confused about time
                    Man first said sex encounter took place after age of consent

— 3/08/2000 Berry witnesses fuzzy on dates
                                   but certain they weren’t yet 16

— 3/09/2000 Berry trial full of contradictions
                    Defendant’s adopted son testifies; jury to get case today

— 3/10/2000 Berry says all charges are untrue
                    Suspended Micro-City chief might face a verdict today

— 3/11/2000 Jury finds Berry guilty on all charges
                    Micro-City founder may get 3 years
 
 

Key Family Foundation Contacts: Kent Ostrander, Executive Director Martin Cothran, Senior Associate Policy Analyst