Bill Cosby ,an American stand up comedian who is also well know for his work on The Cosby , is facing a series of historic sexual assault allegations dating back several decades, but has not been charged with any crimes. These allegations have dated as far back as 2002. Although it has not been up until now within 2015 that these stories have caught the attention of the public.
There are several factors to take into consideration. For starters issue journalists faced was the lack of evidence and crucial information that would help support these claims. In this type of situation it is naturally difficult to discuss about stories that may not be true. Instead it is quite simple to focus on the positive stories that are true and can providence information and evidence such as Bill Cosby’s professional career and accomplishments. As well as his impact on society.
In terms of relative and strong evidence most journalists and news organizations tend to focus primarily on the various stories of the rape victims who talked about their sexual assault. At the same time Bill Cosby has refused to speak about his involvement with these women. So with a lack of supportive evidence this results in a difficult story for the media to cover on. Due to the prolonged truth on this story as well as the lack of real evidence it has divided society into whether or not the believe these accusations against Bill Cosby. The constantly growing line between rumors and the truth has made this a difficult story for most news organizations.
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True, in the beginning of what would turn into a cottage industry of Cosby’s dalliance going back decades, it was difficult to prove him a “rapist” without hard evidence. And evidence if there were would raise the matter of statute of limitation, meaning no jail time. But it doesn’t rule out civil action, furthermore. Then there was the initial disbelief that so iconic a figure of Dr. Huxtable had a darker side. Moreover Cosby had by now become avuncular, the wise old uncle, his character Albert had gained wisdom over a half-century.
But as the women kept coming forward publicly about Cosby’s drugging and then raping them. The winds were taken out of Cosby’s sails. Yet, despite loss of ad contracts, stripped of degrees and other honors and perks, he remained slap happy in the way he treated his accusers. And then, leaked to the press were papers a victim of his had signed for a buyout, with a confidentiality clause. Which titillated public opinion and added fire to this long saga of “date rape” of sorts. Avuncular Cosby had used his fame and drugs to deflower his prey. Still, there are no criminal charges. And with a battery of high powered lawyers, he manages to handle any civil suits that may come his way.
So smug he is, so inclined to treat accusations as bagatelles, Cosby, as we troll the press coverage, is betting that the whole brouhaha will die on the vine. Loss of prestige, he couldn’t care less, since he still can get gigs in the US and Canada. His wife stands rock firm behind him. And what’s more, he may have become a joke, but like the banksters, he has gotten away with. Since a slice of the public “excuses” his excesses. One thing though, the whole sordid affair has not been racialized.
With an eye on posterity, although the press intimates it: memory will return Cosby as a hipster, a comedy, and model for his race as Dr. Huxtable. Image in the long run will win out.