Adam Johnson's prison comments were predictably abhorrent – but so was the media's reporting of them
Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy I found myself this week imagining what it must feel like to be Adam Johnson’s victim. In a newly leaked prison video, the footballer is seen laughing that he wishes he’d raped his 15-year-old victim, given he’d been convicted anyway for sexual activity with an underage girl. It’s not enough to publish the occasional feminist think piece – every piece of reporting must avoid perpetuating victim blaming and apologist tropes. No wonder crimes like Adam Johnson’s are covered so insensitively when incidents are brushed under the carpet within journalists’ own ranks.














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