Media Fail Pt. 1 -- Initial Reaction

They Don't Really Care About Us

By A.F. James MacArthur
Agitator-In-Chief
@BaltoSpectator

Two people were shot Monday night in two separate incidents. Both happened within 15 minutes of each other.  One in East Baltimore, the other in West Baltimore.

The incident in East Baltimore involves a teenager shot in the head with injuries so severe, homicide detectives are investigating.

Coverage of these latest incident in Baltimore's continuing carnage was a disgrace on the nightly news.

From 15 seconds passing mention on one station, to no mention at all, it was made abundantly clear how unimportant these lives being lost in the city really are. They're not even worth talking about.

A message is being sent loud and clear to residents, especially youth, living in less than affluent neighborhoods. Whether you live or dies is inconsequential to us. You're of no value to society. Your stories isn't even worthy of being told.

In a special broadcast, I took to the air Monday night, doing my best to channel and control my rage to discuss the shameful, inexcusable marginalizing of the lives affected by the destruction taking place in Baltimore.

Here James MacArthur respond to Baltimore media's disappointing, lackluster coverage of violence in the city.

In part two of this series, we'll give a more detail breakdown of the precise amount of time given to the shootings by each of the local news outlets. These stories will continue to be tracked as we see how they develop within the news cycle.

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Researcher, independent investigative journalist, and entrepreneur, A.F. James MacArthur has been a member of the underground news network for over 20 years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by government officials under the guise of law enforcement. He's often boycotted from being given any credit for his work by mainstream media.
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Get Better Connected With Me

Email MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, @BaltoSpectator on twitter, Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook,YouTube channel

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Who Or What Exactly Is The Baltimore Spectator?

Dr. James MacArthur, physical culturist,
social-pathologist/observational theorist.
Independent urban combat correspondent,
 journalist contributor, radio guy.

Because sometimes 140 characters just isn't enough

On 18 September 2013, Baltimore City Paper placed The Baltimore Spectator on  it's yearly "Best of Baltimore" list under Best Social Media Strategy. Whether this was a compliment or a crack at us, we may never truly know.

Specializing in crime, grime and politics, The Baltimore Spectator is an established leader in live, on-scene crime and emergency incident reporting in the city of Baltimore. Over the years, numerous incidents that would later become major news stories, were first learned about from our postings on Twitter.

A multi-faceted outlet, political and social commentary is another area you'll see spoken about frequently.

Crime Chasers

The summer of 2013 saw a new added dimension, to the unceasing efforts of delivering timely, accurate, first hand updates and accounts of incidents in the community.

Enter the #CrimeChasers.

Taking cues from the notorious "storm chasers," known for driving right into tornadoes and flying into the dangerous storms, full time defense industry reporter @MolotovFlicker, teamed up with the The Baltimore Spectator as a photojournalist, forming a unique strategic journalistic partnership.

Together, on a slightly modified, custom Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird motorcycle, the two have ridden right into the "eye of the storm" so to speak, breaking several major crime incidents in Baltimore.

Often arriving on scenes where no media is present, or long before others get there. If this isn't innovative, then it's hard to say what is.

Many serious crime incidents, have been made known to the people of Baltimore because of the work of the #CrimeChasers. Several stories initially not covered or ignored by mainstream media, would later become major stories, only after first being put out by this dynamic duo.

Some of the major crime incidents broken by the #CrimeChasers include (links to be added): a seven year old boy shot in a triple shooting, that took place in front of the President of The City Council's house, and when a 15 year old aspiring rapper was killed when seven people were shot in West Baltimore.

Keen Observers

On one double shooting scene, the #CrimeChasers even found a bullet on the ground that was passed over by numerous Baltimore Police investigators looking for clues. The find would later become a critical piece of evidence in the investigation.

This page is a dynamic document, and will be changed, edited and updated as I see fit.

The Man Behind The Madness

I should just place a cliche "under construction" graphic here. That would be true on so many levels. I'm not big on writing about myself, but I'll come back to this a little later and do some summaries of relevant information.

My life truly has been one big adventure. I've been many places, seen different faces, borne many burdens. Sometimes I'm still amazed at some of things I've done.


Researcher, independent investigative journalist, and entrepreneur, A.F. James MacArthur has been a member of the underground news network for over 20 years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by government officials under the guise of law enforcement. He's often boycotted from being given any credit for his work by mainstream media.
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Get Better Connected With Me

Email MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, @BaltoSpectator on twitter, Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook,YouTube channel

THE FUTURE: Radio Veteran Praises Spectator News Coverage

Marc Clarke, host of one time top rated, "Big Phat Morning Show," on Radio One's 92Q in Baltimore and more recently weekend night host on DC's WHUR, has recently joined online mega podcast site Spreaker.com.

Clarke hasn't done an official show yet, but in several short introductory recordings, the 26 year radio veteran was very excited and intrigued about the possibilities of the medium. He promised big things were coming there, calling it "the future."

Clarke also gave a glowing review to long time, Baltimore independent, multimedia investigative journalist, A.F. James MacArthur, aka "The Baltimore Spectator," heard on WBAL, WOLB, WFBR, and numerous other outlets.

Passing The Torch

Referring to coverage of a brutal home invasion, triple-shooting last night in Baltimore, broken by The Baltimore Spectator, Clarke said in the comment section of the "BREAKING NEWS" portion of MacArthur's podcast, "Such a sad story but great job reporting...you really are filling a void that is needed and I think this is really going to blow up, keep up the good work my brotha!"

According to recent statistics provided by search giant Google.com, The Baltimore Spectator was ranked number one and in the top 20 results for several Baltimore related search terms. The site was also top 20 in the nation for search results related to the General David Petraeus sex scandal.

From Twitter

"I had to wait and see, but @baltospectator was right on with his report last night from triple shooting in West Baltimore"
— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) 

"@baltospectator Man! Do u have a police scanner at home? U R on it!"
— PressPlay (@PressPlay_13) 

"Don't ask me why I just started following @baltospectator . I've been reading his stuff 4 a bit & The Sun kinda sucks in comparision"
— Dana's too blessed (@ghettobohemian) 

"I want to thank @baltospectator for taking the time to update us on the mess happening in Bmore. No other report/journalist would do! THXS"
— ✨Shawnee✨© (@powls) 

"Thanks to @baltospectator for keeping it real and keeping the citizens of charm city more informed than the news does. #BaltimoreUgly"
— Robyn Stewart (@Macrame_Queen) 

"@foxbaltimore tweets BREAKING NEWS 4 hours ago that @baltospectator broke 18 hours ago. Step ya life up! #fail"
— DĀNÄ (@danatroymedia) 

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For the last several years, A.F. James MacArthur has been the established leader in on-scene, feet-on-the-street, Baltimore crime and emergency incident reporting. Baltimore's premier independent crime correspondent and street reporter, is a multimedia journalist who also covers urban decay and public corruption. He may be reached at 410-205-NEWS (6397) voice or text message, MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, and followed on numerous social media, including: @BaltoSpectator on twitter , Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook,YouTube channel

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UPDATE: Commissioner Bealefeld Testifies Before City Council -- Explains Controversial Policy Change

On scene reporting by A.F. James MacArthur, Managing Editor, The Baltimore Spectator



Click here to see our EXCLUSIVE VIDEO FOOTAGE -- Baltimore Police Commissioner Fred Bealefeld Before City Council from MacArthur Media

City Councilman Jack Young brings Police Commissioner Fred Bealefeld in front of the city council. He's there to explain a controversial policy change. The Baltimore Police Department will not automatically release than names of officers involved in shootings.

Commissioner Bealefeld is reprimanded for not having better communications with city hall.

Councilman Bob Curran gives the Commissioner and the Mayor high marks.


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Baltimore State of The City -- Reality Check Version