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A comment on Changes at YC. Parent comment

Re:Changes at YC by NikolaNovak on Monday March 13, 2023 @06:09PM (#35143690)
That one I actually understand. Calling somebody innocent is a very strong and contextual / scoped statement, and ultimately that's what the courts take their time to do (and even they I think kinda stop shy? I don't know if acquitted is the same as innocent. I feel it's more "not proven guilty").
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Re:Changes at YC by tjohns on Monday March 13, 2023 @06:43PM (#35144158)
In the US, we have the presumption of innocence. Until a court says you're guilty, you're innocent.

Most modern countries consider this a fundamental right.

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Re:Changes at YC by NikolaNovak on Monday March 13, 2023 @07:13PM (#35144549)
In the US, what happens a if a newspaper calls someone innocent, who is then proven guilty?

That was a super high horse you rapidly jumped on, but where I'm going is, it may not be a risk reputable journalism takes lightly.

"No outstanding warrants" will have been true at the time whatever is uncovered later. "They shot a presumed innocent" is probably safe but meaningless. "They shot an innocent person" - what happens if the person is then found super guilty? And innocent of what - what if somebody says "they were clearly in the video driving without their seatbelt" or "they had expired license plate"? USA has a lovely constitution yes, but also a nicely profitable legal industry.

Put the moral notion aside: In the USA, I don't think it's an easy risk to take, and clearly newspapers agree.

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