Britt McHenry proved she’s the gift to America that just keeps on giving with a half-hearted defense of fellow verbally abusive reporter Colleen Campbell.
Campbell was fired from PHL 17 in Philadelphia after a wild rant towards police that seemed so out of control that watching it felt like watching a movie.
WATCH:
McHenry couldn’t let a fallen comrade of journalism and out of control rants go undefended. She wrote a lengthy posted on her Facebook, which essentially told people to stop sharing the video.
The laid off ESPN reporter wrote:
This is just a post for my friends, but if you’re sharing the video of the Philadelphia reporter, take a second look at yourself. I’ve been in a situation where a video was put out for the sole purpose of trying to ruin my career. In my case, the tape was edited and used as extortion for money. I had serious long-term health effects from the cyber shaming and bullying. This woman was out of line, yes. But what does it say about our culture when we gleefully film, share and consume the take downs of someone’s successful life and career? No one is perfect. I’ve seen every one of my friends make mistakes, and I’ve made a ton of them. I hope nobody I care about has to go through that shame publicly.
Here is a screenshot just in-case she decides to delete this incredibly amazing post.
Britt McHenry Facebook post (Credit: Screenshot/Facebook)
This is just another classic move from McHenry. She brutally lashed out at a parking attendant several years ago, and then tried to cry victim claiming that the event caused her extreme medical problems.
That may or may not be true. I honestly don’t know, but I’ll take her word on it. What I do know is that it’s ridiculous for McHenry or Campbell to play the victim card. They made horrific statements that were caught on camera and were circulated. That’s not society’s problem. That is only their problem.
Finally, we live in a society where people should be smart enough to expect people will film things and try to exploit them — or at the very least hang onto them as evidence. This is day one stuff.
When I went to college several years ago a family member of mine made it clear to be very careful what I ever said or did in a public setting because everybody has a camera phone these days. One statement or action could be used by an opportunistic person in a lawsuit.
If 18-year old David Hookstead had the knowledge to be careful when cameras and phones were around, then I find it hard to believe the same advice had not been passed along to an ESPN employee.
UPDATE: McHenry tweeted that her Facebook post was not a defense of Campbell, but just her feeling compassion.
If we don't use our experiences to learn, grow & feel empathy for others then what's the point? Defending, no. Feeling compassion.
— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) June 8, 2017