Morgan Freeman Slams Baltimore Riots Coverage: ‘F*** The Media’
Morgan Freeman has something to say about riots and the way they’re covered. After hearing about the Baltimore riots, the actor says the televised media is doing it all wrong.
The Baltimore riots were started when Freddie Gray got in trouble with police, resulting in a spinal injury which killed him. Among the protesters was NBA star Carmelo Anthony, who marched the streets to urge calm and patience, as previously reported by the Inquisitr.
Calm and patience didn’t exactly prevail, as residents of Baltimore took to the same streets to loot and riot in the name of Freddie Gray. While the prevailing idea on social media was that it was a protest, many pointed out that protesters and rioters are very different in how they do things.
#BaltimoreUprising #Bigots #love #racism #Humanity #riots #unity PLEASE WATCH + #RETWEEET #MorganFreeman #Profound https://t.co/lvPw53FdCz
— QueenBossLadyE (@QueenBossLadyE) May 1, 2015
According to Morgan Freeman, the riots are being covered wrong, as the Independent reports.
“Now, they’re getting more of the whole picture. Ferguson? No. Baltimore seems to be coming up with a different scenario in the background.
“People are saying, ‘You were not all there when we were just talking and trying to make a point, but if we set something on fire, all of a sudden you’re all here. Why is that? What’s the difference?’ And some young reporters are listening. That sort of observation is very useful.”
It seems that some media outlets, especially cable news, have taken to commenting instead of reporting, according to the Hollywood star. Morgan Freeman told the media that they’re drawing conclusions on the Baltimore riots based on their ignorance of the facts, much like in his recent film Five Flights Up.
“Isn’t that always happening? Look at MSNBC, Fox News, and CNN. Go between those three. There’s a take, there’s a take, and there’s a take. It’s just commentary. CNN wants to be pure news, but the others are just commentary. They’re just commenting on things.”
Freeman followed up by saying that actual camera footage of encounters could change things for the better.
“Now, at least you can see, ‘Hey, his hands were up in the air! What part of your safety were you afraid of? The guy was running away, what part of your safety was in danger?’
“Anyway, off the media. F*** the media.”
The Shawshank Redemption actor certainly has a sobering view of the way cable news presents its coverage. What do you think of Morgan Freeman’s view on the riots and how they’re being covered?
[Image via Getty Images / Handout]
