I know there are examples of different newspapers reporting the same events with vast discrepancies, but this one cried out to me today. The first is from Toronto's Metro - the free paper on the subway:
http://www.metronews.ca/story.aspx?i...hType=AndWords
Quote:
Gibson apologizes for drunk-driving incident
associated press File Photo
Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson issued a lengthy statement Saturday apologizing for his drunk driving arrest and saying he has battled alcoholism throughout his life.
The actor and The Passion Of The Christ director also apologized for what he said were “despicable” statements he made to the deputies who arrested him early Friday on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, Calif.
“I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested,” he said in a statement issued by his publicist. “I disgraced myself and my family with my behaviour and for that I am truly sorry. I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse.”
He said he was taking “necessary steps to ensure my return to health.”
Publicist Alan Nierob declined to elaborate beyond Gibson’s statement, and sheriff’s Sgt. Rich Erickson declined to respond, saying the case was still under investigation.
Gibson, 50, was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol after deputies stopped his 2006 Lexus LS 430 for speeding at 2:36 a.m. Friday. Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said deputies clocked him doing 140 km/h in a 70 km/h zone.
A breath test indicated Gibson’s blood-alcohol level was 0.12 per cent, Whitmore said. The legal limit in California is 0.08 per cent.
The actor-director posted $5,000 US bail and was released at 9:45 a.m.
Gibson also apologized Saturday for what he called “my belligerent behaviour” when he was taken into custody. “The arresting officer was just doing his job and I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to any other person,” he said.
“I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable.” Nierob and sheriff’s officials declined to discuss what Gibson said.
Associated Press
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The second is from the Guardian U.K. I subscribe to the online version of the print edition, so you might not be able to find this on the web. Here's the story:
Quote:
Mel Gibson apologises for anti-semitic abuse
Star's outburst after alleged drink-driving
LA police accused of covering up remarks
Audrey Gillan
Mel Gibson yesterday apologised for his "despicable" remarks after a Los Angeles police officer claimed that the actor had shouted a barrage of anti-semitic abuse, including a claim that "the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world".
Gibson, 50, was arrested in the early hours of Friday after he was found driving his Lexus along the Pacific coast highway while allegedly drunk. A three-quarters-full bottle of tequila wrapped in a brown paper bag was found on the floor. He was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and released on $5,000 bail.
The entertainment website TMZ published what it said was a four-page extract of the police report into the incident. It says that the actor had tried to run away from police and that he "became increasingly belligerent". The Australian star told the officer that he would regret arresting him and that he "owned Malibu".
The report says: "Gibson blurted out a barrage of anti-semitic remarks about 'fucking Jews'. Gibson yelled out: 'The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.' Gibson then asked: 'Are you a Jew?'"
The incident gained further attention when it was alleged that the LA police department had tried to cover up Gibson's offensive remarks. A spokesman had told reporters on Friday that Gibson had been arrested "without incident". Allegations of favourable treatment of the star are now being looked into by the city's office of independent review, which investigates allegations of police misconduct. It has also been claimed that the police officer involved was asked to rewrite his report omitting Gibson's anti-semitic remarks.
Mike Gennaco, who will lead the investigation, said: "I'd like to see if there was a legitimate law enforcement reason for asking that the report be altered."
Gibson served as a "celebrity representative" for the LA sheriff department's Star Organisation in 2002, a group which provides scholarships and aid for the children of officers killed in the line of duty. He donated $10,000 to the step-daughter of an officer who died and also filmed public service announcements for the sheriff's relief committee.
Sheriff Lee Baca said the actor's behaviour after his arrest was not relevant to the criminal case. "There is no cover-up. Our job is not to [focus] on what he said. It's to establish his blood alcohol level when he was driving and proceed with the case."
Gibson, whose father told the New York Times that he did not believe the Holocaust happened, issued a statement apologising. He said: "I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I am deeply ashamed of everything I said. Also, I take this opportunity to apologise to the deputies involved for my belligerent behaviour. They have always been there for me in my community and indeed probably saved me from myself."
He added: "I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse."
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Other than what is mentioned in the Metro article (Nierob and sheriff’s officials declined to discuss what Gibson said), do you think there's a reason that the Metro didn't have Mel's remarks published? Were they simply too slow off the mark? Who gains from this ommision?
Does the Guardian have an ulterior motive for printing Mel's remarks and having him painted as an anti-semite (which he obviously is on some level)?
I can't see a reason why one paper did and the other didn't. Can you?