Worst Use of "Allegedly" in a Newspaper

Sorry, this is my pet peeve of the blogosphere -- everywhere I see this incident cited, I feel compelled to comment:

What about the video/photographers who STOOD BY FILMING WHILE THIS MAN'S LIFE WAS IN DANGER?

Do unto others, any one?

They should all be lined up execution style while a monkey rolls "film at eleven."

Exactly WHICH lobotomy is it that allows you to forsake your fellow human while their life is in danger?

Posted by cj at November 3, 2003 2:31 AM

The reason they used "allegedly" is because the libel law on such matters very well established. They will get sued for defamation if they don't. And at the shooter's trial, the defense attorney will move for dismissal or at minimum change of venue because his client was convicted by the public media.

Posted by Donald Sensing at November 3, 2003 3:05 AM

I agree with Donald on the reason for the use of the word, which is nonetheless often overused. The point is to avoid creating the impression that the writer is saying the fellow is, in fact, a shooter, until that has been established legally. However, I'm not sure that the word itself (allegedly) is absolutely required; the same result could have been acheived through the use of words like "accused" or "apparent" or something.

Posted by Bill Wallo at November 3, 2003 5:34 PM

I would imagine the word allegedly is not needed here when its clear the "unnamed" man is shooting at Curry. Now if a name was used in the caption as the shooter, I see your point.

Posted by smith288 at November 4, 2003 4:48 PM

User Assistance. This is helping the user with the proper "next step" when performing a task. Less guesswork for the user on what to do next makes for a better experience.

Posted by Francisca at January 12, 2004 7:47 PM

Help! Did you include help tags in your applications? (I'd be lost without them.) Also, be sure to take extra time to develop your other help files. The Apple Help Viewer supports HTML, QuickTime, and also AppleScript. Take advantage of it! There isn't anything I hate more than going to the Help menu and finding there isn't any help.

Posted by Sampson at January 12, 2004 7:48 PM