Headline: Famous person arrested for horrible thing.

The editorial you’ve never read:

“A well-known and influential person was recently arrested for doing something atrocious. At this point, the charges have yet to be confirmed by a jury verdict and so we have decided to wait before publicly tarnishing this person’s name. Some of our competitors have opted to publish the details even while attempting to shield themselves legally by using the phrase ‘alleged crimes.

“However, since we understand how the human mind actually works, we know this will do nothing to impede anyone from associating such acts with this person permanently. We also know that if it turns out to not be true, subsequent repudiations (imagining they are even published more than once) will only make the connection stronger not weaker. The person who becomes known as ‘that guy who didn’t do the evil thing’ is still indelibly connected to what was not done.

“Since this stain can never be fully expunged, we think it best to never spill the ink on him in the first place, thus honoring the legal principle of innocence until guilt is proven. We know you can get the information from others, but we sincerely hope you will support us in resisting the temptation to murder this person’s character without a trial.”

Sincerely,

Editors of “The Daily Virtue”

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