Jackson Free Press

It's hilarious that The Clarion-Ledger is trying to position itself in front of the FBI investigation of Frank Melton even though they have followed, if they even bothered to do that, for the last two and a half years. (And turned a blind eye for two decades before that.) After watching The Clarion-Ledger ignore, omit and gloss over the reality of Frank Melton for so long—even refusing to follow up on the Ridgeway story until after Adam Lynch broke it here—it's truly disgusting to watch Ronnie Agnew try to grab some morsels of credit for Melton possibly being indicted by a federal grand jury. From today's pathetic column by Agnew:

The new Melton suggests that there is more going on, and reporting by The Clarion-Ledger's Arnold Lindsay may be the best indicator of what's ahead.

For several weeks now, the FBI has asked probing questions about city operations involving Melton and those very bodyguards who follow him everywhere. The FBI has subpoenaed documents relating to the mayor's antics in high-profile cases, ironically the same cases in which a Hinds County Circuit Court jury rendered not guilty verdicts.

Among other things, the FBI is asking about the house on Ridgeway Street, allegedly torn apart with sledgehammers at the mayor's direction. The federal agency also has inquired about the mayor's clash at the Upper Level nightclub and roadblock search procedures.

Bottom line: If The Clarion-Ledger had done real journalism about Melton over the years, we may well not be in this position right now.

Previous Comments

ID

115173

Comment

I thought it was a weak editorial almost written to get a response from JFP. Not like we could expect better from them!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-10-22T08:58:47-06:00

ID

115174

Comment

Surely, they're not that desperate for attention! Then again, maybe they are. It's not like they've earned the mantel of "paper of record" in recent years. They're more of a "corporate joke."

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-22T09:08:42-06:00

ID

115175

Comment

Interesting, but I can't say anything. I saw Ronnie giving me the stern look at church a couple of Sundays ago. I think he has put the face with the name.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-22T09:42:35-06:00

ID

115176

Comment

I guess that's par for the course with the C-L. Thanks for telling us what we should think about this.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-10-22T09:49:39-06:00

ID

115177

Comment

jeff lucas -- Thanks for telling us what we should think about this. I don't care who y'are, that's funny ret there.

Author

Rex

Date

2007-10-22T11:44:55-06:00

ID

115178

Comment

Thanks for telling us what we should think about this. I would change one letter in that, though. I would make it: Thanks for telling us THAT we should think about this. It's the fact that many people think so little about the impact of media in their communities that is so worrisome.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-22T12:01:22-06:00