Actual Truths
When malice directs the narrative
Under the banner of the #MeToo movement, the Seattle Times irresponsibly published a story by a dishonest accuser whose claims were officially investigated and dismissed decades ago. Ignoring their own reporting from the time of the city’s investigation, the Seattle Times abandoned basic journalistic skepticism, rules of evidence and accuracy, and gave this accuser a platform to repeat and expand her lies. The Seattle Times, by presenting advocacy as news reporting, is complicit.
A THOUGHTFUL TRAILBLAZER
Sherry Harris’ Seattle legacy
Empowering a community takes dreams, focus, action and principles. Virtuous citizens can always make a difference, and local efforts can have national impact.
The Truth Still Matters
One year after #MeToo, great wrongs have been uncovered. The movement’s momentum, and the rush to judgment, also puts justice at risk. Seattle attorney Sylvia Luppert explains.
Sherry Harris Responds
Severe accusations require hard questions and careful research. None of that is evident in a newspaper story that libeled.
“Sherry helped us come together to see and learn more about what we have in common than what made us different.” ~ Leah Schulz
Letters
Correspondence to the Seattle Times and the Pulitzer Prize Board.
Documents &
further reading
What the record shows regarding the 1995 complaint, and resources for fuller context.
Records
Harris Cleared in Accusation of Sex Harassment
READ
Harris Cleared of Harassment Claim
READ
Harris: Ex-aide’s Complaint is Revenge – Fired Employee Alleges Sex Harassment
READ
Fired City Council aide alleges that Harris sexually harassed her
READ
Harris Cleared in Accusation of Sex Harassment
READ
Further reading
The limits of ‘Believe All Women,” by Bari Weiss, Nov. 28, 2017
Contrary to what most people believe, memory doesn’t work like a video camera with events perfectly preserved forever. Inaccuracies creep in: through imperfect perception, or biased inferences or conflation with details from other events.
https://stanfordmag.org/contents/how-the-truth-gets-twisted
Society of Professional Journalists ethics code:
https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp