Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Share The People The Media Did Dirty

I was recently thinking about Winona Ryder, an actress I've always loved, who was crucified by the media because of her shoplifting arrest. Ryder dealt with emotional problems for several years and she was treated terribly at trial. The media circus cost her acting work and she took a long break before re-emerging as a character actress and slipping back into more substantial roles.

It was grossly unfair, and an example of the power the tabloid press can wield. Ryder is fortunate to have a successful career and has for the last few years starred on Netflix's Stranger Things. But she is sadly not the only person to be crucified by the media.

People shared their thoughts after Redditor Mush_Committee_9335 asked the online committee,

"Who was someone done dirty by the media?"

Christopher Jefferies

"Christopher Jefferies who had the bad luck to be a bit strange-looking and eccentric and be the close neighbour of a murdered woman. Originally questioned over the murder and released, he was hounded by Britain's tabloid papers right up to the point where it was proved that someone else was the murderer."

jwelshuk

The Lost Honour of Christopher Jeffries is such a good miniseries.

Lindy Chamberlain

"Lindy Chamberlain was charged with her baby's murder and jailed for several years. It wasn't until someone found the baby's bloodied jacket beside a dingo den that she was released. The trauma of that is unimaginable. You lose your baby AND get thrown in jail for her murder."

llamaunepredo

Perhaps the most well known miscarriage of justice on the part of the Australian justice system.

Richard Jewell

"Richard Jewell. He was a hero that likely saved dozens of lives. Instead of praising for the hero he was, the FBI and the media rushed to judgement and labeled him a terrorist."

Thatguy755

Too bad the film about his story didn't seem to do him much justice.

Brendan Fraser

"Brendan Fraser. Was shamed and blacklisted for admitting to being sexually assaulted in the industry. Wow."

[deleted]

And he's enjoying quite the comeback! The Whale looks amazing.

Britney Spears

"Britney Spears. They loved her mental breakdown."

TraditionalLiving

And she's free now! Thankfully!

Lindsay Lohan

"Lindsay Lohan. David Letterman made fun of her for going to rehab on national television, to the point where she began to cry. She had her demons, but was treated disgustingly."

Catwymyn

I remember that. It was terrible. No wonder she was on a downward spiral for such a long time.

Stella Liebeck

"Stella Liebeck. Nearly died from 3rd degree burns courtesy of McDonald’s coffee, gets them to stop serving coffee at a hazardous temperature, and what does she get? Her name synonymous with stupid lawsuits and even Darwin-esque awards for stupidest lawsuits."

LegalAssassin13

All she wanted was for them to cover her medical expenses and they refused. She had no option but to sue or go bankrupt.

Monica Lewinsky

"Monica Lewinsky. There's a huge issue of power going on here and it was mostly ignored like she was the temptress who lured poor innocent Bill into her den of iniquity."

eddyathome

Thankfully opinions on her have changed as culture has changed. Sadly, we probably don’t know the worst examples because we’ll never hear their side of the story.

Jake Lloyd

"Jake Lloyd. Not his fault much of Phantom Menace was cringe, especially the dialogue. Personally, I think Anakin should’ve been introduced and played by a teenager. Would’ve made his relationship with Padme less creepy. But that was all Lucas. Kid didn’t need to crapped on by fans and the media."

MurkyConflict3737

He was later diagnosed with schizophrenia. He's had a sad life since that film exposed him to so much mockery.

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson. Also why did people care so much; it's a breast. I've never understood America's obsession with nudity. Put as much violence on the screen for my kid as possible, but god help you if you show the little boob for half a second."

HairyTesticleMonster

The public freakout over this was RIDICULOUS. It absolutely hurt her career and should not have.

Consider: Would you want to be treated the way these people were treated? Think before you pass judgment. You don't always know the whole story.

Have some observations of your own? Feel free to tell us more in the comments below!

Want to "know" more?

Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Screenshot of Sean Hannity and Stephanie Miller
Fox News

Fox News Guest Has Blunt Reminder About Trump After Sean Hannity Asks About Biden's 'Cognitive Decline'

Fox News personality Sean Hannity was widely mocked after guest commentator Stephanie Miller gave him more than he bargained for with her response to his question about when she first noticed former President Joe Biden's "cognitive decline."

President Donald Trump and Republicans have long questioned Biden's cognitive fitness for office to draw attention from Trump's own gaffes. Earlier this week, Trump made headlines for claiming "no one knows what magnets are" during an Oval Office exchange. He has also continued to attract attention for falling asleep during events.

Keep ReadingShow less

People Who Fled The U.S. Due To Trump Explain How They're Doing Now

We are in troubling times in this country and around the world.

America is more divided than it has ever been.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @max_balegde's TikTok video
@max_balegde/TikTok

'Lazy' Gamer Comes Up With Genius Hack For Getting Himself To Go To The Gym

We all have something that would be really good for us if we simply did more of it, but for whatever reason, we struggle to implement the new habit or activity.

But whether we're struggling to remember to do it at all, or can't find the motivation to get it done, there are ways around that.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jack Schlossberg; Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
MSNBC/YouTube; Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images

JFK's Grandson Announces He's Running For Congress—And Immediately Unloads On 'Dangerous' RFK Jr.

Democratic President John F. Kennedy’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, sat down on Wednesday with MSNBC's Jackie Alemany for The Weekend—and he had a lot to say.

The pair discussed a wide range of topics including Schlossberg's decision to run for Congress in New York’s 12th Congressional District which includes the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side, and all of Midtown Manhattan.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hotel worker washing bed sheets in hot tub
@WCCO - CBS Minnesota/YouTube

Hotel Sparks Backlash After Worker Is Caught On Video Using Hot Tub To Clean Bed Sheets

Many of us love to travel, but with travel prices increasing and flights being delayed, it's becoming less desirable to go somewhere new.

There is also the increasing number of places being exposed for not properly cleaning and preparing for guests, so now we have to worry about our health and safety while trying to travel.

Keep ReadingShow less