When They Blame the Messenger

Daniel McFadin is a Reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and is a guy you likely have never heard of.

McFadin works for a small newspaper, and his main focus was on sports and NASCAR.

MaFadin stumped across a story in which racecar driver Noah Gragson “liked” a post on Instagram that was a meme that poked fun at the death of George Floyd.

McFadin followed the story to see if it was true, and if it was, what was Gragson’s thought process, and what did his racing team think?

He checked the story out before reporting it, and he did find out that Gragson did in fact “like” the post. Here is his report.

After the story dropped, Legacy Motor Group, the team that Gargson drives for released a statement saying that they have suspended Gragson for his actions.

NASCAR also said that they have suspended Gragson as well.

After the story, the NASCAR fans were not mad or upset with Gragson; they pointed their anger squarely at McFadin.

The hate mail, threats, and venom-filled posts were thrown McFadin’s way.

One NASCAR fan’s email to the reporter.

McFadin’s reply.

The guy is a Journalist, his job is to report the news, and that is what he did.

As a Journalist, there are times when your job is to report a story that many won’t like.

But, that’s the job and that is your duty.

A NASCAR driver “liked” a post about the murder of person, but it is the Reporter that is taking the anger.

This is the world in which we now live.