CNN anchor John Avlon is calling for other media members to cover a story from Brigham Young University with the same “intensity” after allegations that fans hurled racial slurs at Duke volleyball players no evidence has been found to backup the claims.
During a segment Avlon called “Upon Further Review”, he noted the story leapt to the “outrage Olympics” after Rachel Richardson, a volleyball player at Duke, said she and other black athletes were the attacked with racial epithets during a match last month. Avlon pointed out his own network, CNN, was a purveyor of the unsubstantiated story.
“Fidelity to the facts is all that we as journalists and citizens should ask,” said Avlon. “It’s understandable that there’s a desire to believe people when they say they’ve been victimized, but the accusations have to be backed up by facts and when the facts don’t fit upon further review, we need to set the record straight with as much intensity as the initial reports.”
He also added the Richardson family has stopped responding to requests for comment from CNN, while noting the statement from BYU doesn’t label her as a liar or fabricator.
“Healthy skepticism is always a virtue, but this doesn’t read like a coverup,” Avlon said. “Instead, it feels like there was a rush to judgment because of a well-intentioned impulse to believe the Duke player’s accusations.”
