Quick reaction to TV reporter’s post criticizing freeway beggar

Nothing like a bit of a media firestorm to end the week.

ABC-6 / FOX 28 investigative reporter Tom Sussi caught a lot of attention early Friday with a post on his Facebook page. The post has since been removed from Sussi’s account, but you can see it here at the right (click to enlarge). It is a picture that Sussi apparently took this morning of a person standing at the end of a freeway exit ramp. Sussi’s added caption harshly criticizes and ridicules the man for ‘panhandling.’

Before removal of the post, it had garnered more than 250 LIKES and a number of favorable comments. But there were negative comments as well. (Some of which Sussi responded to in ways that a number of people deemed offensive and sexist.) Many viewer comments appeared on the WSYX Facebook page. Here are just a few:

“I hope you address this with Tom. As long as Tom is on your side..he’s not on mine. Tom obviously is more interested in tearing this guy down than using his journalist skills to solve his curious “puzzle”. – Alex Bogard

“Tom Sussi had an excellent chance to investigate why a man would stand losing humility all day long and ask for help.  There was a story there to be told. Instead public derision and contempt. Shame on you!” – Kitty Schwanitz

“Tom Sussi’s post was absolutely appalling and I hope your channel will take the appropriate actions so the city of Columbus never has to see his hateful face again on their televisions.” – Danielle Kline

This afternoon, Sussi returned to Facebook and offered this:

“I along with ABC 6 want to address a Facebook post I posted this morning. I posted a picture of a person on the street and offered comments based on opinion, not fact. This was an error in judgment and the post has been removed. I, along with ABC 6, apologize to anyone who found this post inappropriate or offensive. We remain committed to empowering our community. Your feedback is always important to us and we listen because after all, we report to you.” – Tom Sussi

*As of Monday (6/8) the apology had been deleted.  (jj)

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