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October 18, 2007
Hip Hop Media Outlets
Unfairly Protect Artists
Attorney for Shooting Victim Makeda Barnes-Joseph
Chastises BET and Hot 97 for Telling One Side of Story
Hot 97.1 FM and the BET television network are two of the most influential voices in the hip hop community. However, both media outlets have failed to provide balanced reporting in the case of Remy Ma, the rapper charged with first-degree assault in the shooting of Makeda Barnes-Joseph. Hot 97.1 FM and BET allowed Remy Ma to tell her side of the incident, but refused to, or did not bother to, contact the victim Ms. Barnes-Joseph.
"It is a shame that these two news sources did not care enough about my client, Makeda Barnes-Joseph, to allow the public to hear the details of her struggles," attorney Lauren P. Raysor, Esq. said. "Early on, we asked Hot 97 to interview Ms. Barnes-Joseph. Not only did they refuse, I received a call from Mr. Ivan Fisher, attorney for Remy Ma inquiring about my communications with Hot 97. I found that it chilling and disturbing," says Raysor. "Did Hot 97 check with Remy Ma before they made their decision to ignore the victim?"
Makeda Barnes-Joseph was shot twice in the abdomen in an unprovoked act of violence that led to the indictment of the rapper known as Remy Ma for first-degree assault, which is punishable by up to 25 years in state prison. On Tuesday, October 9, Ms. Barnes-Joseph underwent her third surgery at St. Vincent's Hospital to repair injuries suffered in the shooting.
"There are so many false allegations and smear tactics perpetrated by the media and misconceptions about this case. Not only is my client physically damaged, her reputation is damaged," Raysor said. "It is my hope that the legitimate media continues to cover this story fairly and accurately and that they set a strong example for the hip hop media on how to tell both sides of a story, even if one of those sides is close to home."
Makeda Barnes-Joseph was released from St. Vincent’s Hospital on October 14, 2007. Her friends and family are praying for a successful recovery.
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