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#ForYouChester: Retract Grey Daze Article from Phoenix New Times
Timothy B.
started this petition to
Phoenix New Times
VOICE MEDIA GROUP
This is directed to whoever is suffering from the impact of depression, sexual abuse as a child, and specifically all Chester Bennington/ Linkin Park/ Grey Daze fans.
Below is the email we sent the journalist after trying to reach out as a first measure through a member of the LP community:
In the latest New Phoenix Times issue, released June 18th 2020, an extensive article about Chester Bennington’s life was published. In such article there was quite graphic retelling of abuse he was a victim of, as well as depicting the method and location of Chester's passing. There is a whole website that guides journalists when reporting on suicide called reportingonsuicide.org which states clearly what to avoid when writing about such a sensitive topic. There was no warning that said article included such triggering language.
As you may know, Chester was a child sexual abuse survivor along with being an advocate for being open and honest about depression and its affects on your life. He is still an extremely important figure in communities of survivors. Your article having no mention of what was included has indeed hurt those people severely. You have a duty, as does anyone discussing his life, to protect those that are still here. It may not be your intent but it came across as being included just for shock value.
You also included quotes from Mr. Sean Dowdell that are questionable at best. Clearly they are his opinions but again, you have a duty as a member of the press to include that the statements of Mr Dowdell are only his responsibility/opinion.
We ask that a retraction be made regarding Mr. Dowdell’s statements and a warning be added to the article, at least, on the online material as the physical material has been already printed out. As you might know, last year's Chester Bennington tribute New Phoenix Times issue has sold out almost immediately and there has been even international demand on it. Therefore, please know that your responsibility is of a great importance towards this community. If you have any additional questions needed answered before doing so, please feel free to reach out.
Below is the email we sent the journalist after trying to reach out as a first measure through a member of the LP community:
In the latest New Phoenix Times issue, released June 18th 2020, an extensive article about Chester Bennington’s life was published. In such article there was quite graphic retelling of abuse he was a victim of, as well as depicting the method and location of Chester's passing. There is a whole website that guides journalists when reporting on suicide called reportingonsuicide.org which states clearly what to avoid when writing about such a sensitive topic. There was no warning that said article included such triggering language.
As you may know, Chester was a child sexual abuse survivor along with being an advocate for being open and honest about depression and its affects on your life. He is still an extremely important figure in communities of survivors. Your article having no mention of what was included has indeed hurt those people severely. You have a duty, as does anyone discussing his life, to protect those that are still here. It may not be your intent but it came across as being included just for shock value.
You also included quotes from Mr. Sean Dowdell that are questionable at best. Clearly they are his opinions but again, you have a duty as a member of the press to include that the statements of Mr Dowdell are only his responsibility/opinion.
We ask that a retraction be made regarding Mr. Dowdell’s statements and a warning be added to the article, at least, on the online material as the physical material has been already printed out. As you might know, last year's Chester Bennington tribute New Phoenix Times issue has sold out almost immediately and there has been even international demand on it. Therefore, please know that your responsibility is of a great importance towards this community. If you have any additional questions needed answered before doing so, please feel free to reach out.
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