A Lesson in Media Literacy

Well, I'd be remiss if I went off this week on how Neil Gaiman's alleged sexual assaults weren't getting enough press in the comics industry and I didn't mentione that Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist Darrin Bell got arrested yesterday on child pornography charges. Now, obviously, there's a huge difference in what these two men (I suppose I should legally cover my ass by saying allegedly) did. Particularly since, from my understanding, all of the art and videos related to Bell's case were either computer-drawn or AI-generated... meaning no actual children were involved. Compared to Gaiman, who did real things to real people.

Obviously, the situation with Bell is, by nature of being MUCH more recent -- less than 24 hours old as of this writing -- more open to false assumptions based on still-limited information. Bell himself has yet to make a statement of any sort and neither has King Features, who syndicates his Candorville comic. Counterpoint released this statement...

We are dumbfounded by the news that Counterpoint newsletter contributor Darrin Bell has been arrested on charges of uploading AI-generated child sex abuse material. While we are aware that the American system of justice presumes innocence until proven guilty, we feel it necessary to suspend Mr. Bell from future contributions to Counterpoint until more is known about the charges.

Counterpoint Licensing and Syndication also distributes the Rudy Park comic strip by Darrin Bell. As Mr. Bell is no longer producing new Rudy Park comics, the feature now consists of rerun strips. Counterpoint Media intends to consult with client publications to discuss the future of this daily feature.

Going back to my journalistic complaints about the Gaiman situation, it will be interesting to see if/how various outlets report on Bell. Gaiman and Bell don't travel in precisely the same circles and, as noted, there are different charges against them, but they theoretically should be reported on similarly. Obviosuly, Bell likely won't be covered on any sites that focus on only TV and film, and Gaiman won't be covered on any sites that focus on only newspaper and editorial cartoons. But any places that cover both should have similar coverage and if you find any that don't... well, let's just say you'll be looking at a form of media bias.

There's very limited public information on Bell's case so far, so I can't speak much to that. But I do think this can be an exercise in media literacy for those of you reading this. Who's reporting on what and how? Examine that and then start asking yourself why they might be reporting that way.

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