Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) was accused of repeated sexual harassment from a former staffer on Sunday and it did not take long before people on social media noticed how different news outlets like USA Today framed the story.
Lindsey Boylan posted on Twitter how Cuomo "sexually harassed me for years. Many saw it, and watched. I could never anticipate what to expect: would I be grilled on my work (which was very good) or harassed about my looks. Or would it be both in the same conversation? This was the way for years...And I *know* I am not the only woman."
This is where many should say Cuomo deserves the right to be presumed innocent until evidence comes out to back such claims, just as it should be. This is how USA Today framed Boylan's accusation.
"The aide has not yet provided any validating evidence for the allegations or specified details on the harassment," USA Today Politics tweeted. "Cuomo's office has denied the claim."
The aide has not yet provided any validating evidence for the allegations or specified details on the harassment. Cuomo's office has denied the claim. https://t.co/6jpf6nSDT4
— USA TODAY Politics (@usatodayDC) December 14, 2020
The problem is such a standard has not been followed in the past for cases like Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
"Democratic presidential candidates are calling for Brett Kavanaugh to be impeached after The New York Times published an essay containing new allegations of sexual misconduct," is how USA Today framed a story almost a year after the evidence-free claims and smears were made about him.
Democratic presidential candidates are calling for Brett Kavanaugh to be impeached after The New York Times published an essay containing new allegations of sexual misconduct. https://t.co/2XOR6RWiXV
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) September 16, 2019
Users on Twitter were more than happy to point out the double standard.
Anything change, @USATODAY? pic.twitter.com/4qwbue12bf
— Drew Holden (@DrewHolden360) December 14, 2020
Very different framing, @USATODAY pic.twitter.com/jZ5Vxn2TXU
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) December 14, 2020
Once again, #BelieveAllWomen apparently only means “Believe all women who accuse republicans.”
— Abigail Marone (@abigailmarone) December 14, 2020
This narrative is so tiresome and predictable. https://t.co/0zXO4HflK6
Weird, I don't remember much concern for corroborating evidence when Brett Kavanaugh's life was on the media chopping block two years ago. https://t.co/i60yrCSW7A
— Nate Madden (@NateOnTheHill) December 14, 2020