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Steve Keely: Fox reporter comes under fire for 'inhumane' coverage of crime in Philadelphia

'His coverage can be inhumane. His flavor isn't helpful. In fact, it's harmful,' said Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: Fox 29 reporter Steve Keeley has come under fire for the way he covered various crimes in the city. Philadelphia lawmakers and the local media have slammed him for his reporting, stating that he "broadcasts fear and trauma."

On Keeley's Twitter, there are press announcements, crime-related videos and images from countless cases. His most recent tweet from Sunday, March 12, identified the man who was shot and murdered in Deptford on Friday, March 10. Notwithstanding, the 15,227 violent crime cases that happened in Philadelphia in 2022, Keeley has come under fire from those who believed that his coverage of "Black and Brown people" was unfair. Cherri Gregg, a WHYY radio reporter who has focused on racial, social justice and public affairs issues affecting Philadelphia's underprivileged groups, spoke out against Keeley's reporting.

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'Definitely makes me cringe'

On Facebook, Gregg wrote, "I rarely speak badly of news outlets- BUT Steve Keeley FOX 29's coverage of crime- definitely makes me cringe. Crime coverage can be very harmful and scares people. I have been working with my fellow Board Members at Law & Justice Journalism Project to train journalists to do better."

Gregg added, "Our crime coverage must be community centered- otherwise it can be harmful, sensationalized and disproportionate to what is really happening. AND- who gets harmed?? Black and brown people- but Black communities and Black men."

'It feels like a dog whistle to me'

Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier similarly condemned Keeley's reporting on crime, calling it "inhumane" and not "helpful," as reported by Philadelphia Magazine. "It feels like a dog whistle to me. His coverage can be inhumane. His flavor isn't helpful. In fact, it's harmful," she said.

Jenice Armstrong, a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, also criticised Keeley's unsettling Twitter stream. Fox 29 insiders informed the news organization that Keeley's reporting has previously been problematic. The insider said, "It's embarrassing," according to Philadelphia Magazine.

What is Philadelphia's current crime rate?

Despite Keeley garnering criticism for his reporting style, the crime wave that has overwhelmed Philadelphia in recent years is blatantly apparent. Brandon del Pozo, a former New York City police officer who is now a scholar at Brown University, found that young men living in Chicago's and Philadelphia's most violent neighborhoods are more likely to be shot and killed than those who served in the war's most brutal front lines. His findings were reported in a study that was published in 2022, according to the Daily Mail.

The study released in December 2022 claimed that the number of gun deaths among young men in the ghettos of those cities was more than what American troops battling terrorism have seen. Del Pozo, a former police officer who began his career in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, patrolling the streets, termed his findings a "urgent wake-up call" for addressing gun crime and murder rates in the nastiest areas.

Philadelphia Police Department stated that crime in the city has decreased marginally as of March 5 compared to the same period previous year in terms of killings, robberies committed with a gun, and severe assaults, according to DailyMail. The number of shootings documented so far in 2023 is around 523, compared to 695 at this time last year. Furthermore, fewer shooting victims have been reported this year than last, from 359 to 268.

'Thank you Steve for doing real reporting'

Many Twitter users have reacted to Keeley's reporting style following the criticism from Philly lawmakers and the local media. One person wrote, "Thank you Steve for doing real reporting. We stand with you." Another person wrote, "Keep up the good work Steve KEELEY."

A third supporter of Keeley wrote, "Steve Keeley is one of the few doing their job in the Philadelphia media." This other person wrote, "Keeley keep up the great work!!! You won’t be silenced." Another person wrote, "Spend more time brushing those brown teeth, and less time worrying about Steve Keeley."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.