August 10–17, 1995

cover story

The Tasker Tapes

Did Channel 10 make the worst of a bad situation?

The media opens itself to criticism every time it reports racial tension. The issue boils down to the crucial question: Was the coverage fair or did it fan the flames?

Andrew Glassman, a reporter with CBS affiliate Channel 10-WCAU, says his coverage of Grays Ferry racial beatings was fair and accurate. Area residents and the cops disagree.

Glassman aired two stories on July 21 and July 24 about racist beatings in Grays Ferry. While on location, Glassman's camera team videotaped a group of white men standing on the corner of 29th & Tasker Streets, the site of the attacks.

Glassman then showed the corner footage to two black victims. The men picked out individuals as their attackers. Glassman aired film of the men pointing out alleged perpetrators.

Fair or foul?

"That's irresponsible," insists Councilman Jim Kenney. "It doesn't solve anything and it doesn't help the police solve anything. I'm not saying don't report. But to go back, riding around, taking pictures of people indiscriminately and then saying, 'Is this the guy?' — Andrew Glassman's not a cop. Andrew Glassman's not a pro. He's in it for sweeps week."

Of course, Glassman disagrees. So does his boss.

"I have absolutely no problem with the story he did," says Steven Doerr, Channel 10's news director. "The point he was making, and the victims were making, was that these people are still walking the streets. It's us saying, if we can find these guys, why can't the police? Don't forget, this was two days after the incident and [the alleged assailants] are still out walking the streets."

For his part, Glassman described the story as fair and accurate. He also notes that nobody from Grays Ferry called the station to complain.

In Grays Ferry, there's a different take, at least among the whites once again labeled racist.

Jimmy, a 29-year-old neighborhood resident, described the coverage as biased. He questions why Glassman has the right to videotape people standing on the street — especially when it leads to further tension, which was the case during the third week of July.

Glassman "doesn't have to live with the result," says Jimmy."I don't see any newscasters living around here. They all live out on the Main Line. But everybody around here's taking about it and they're really upset."

Doerr calls criticism unfounded.

"I have no idea what they're pissed off about," says Doerr. "Two guys who were in the neighborhood got the shit kicked out of them. We were able to find [the assailants]. And we didn't single anybody out."

Doerr adds that the station "makes a point of trying to keep things low key."

"But if [blacks] get beat up on the streets of Philly because of their color, somebody has to look," says Doerr.

Capt. Keith Sadler of the 17th District won't dispute that point. He'll stress, however, that cops get paid to find the bad guys; TV reporters don't. And with a valid reason.

"Essentially, [Glassman]'s doing his own investigation," says Sadler. "And that's not helping. He could jeopardize any future court case. The defense attorneys would have a field day with that. They'd argue hasty arrest made under political pressure."

— Scott Farmelant