Chicago Sun-Times writer Greg Crouch asks in his column today whether ESPN personality Dana Jacobson really did say the offensive words attributed to her that resulted in a one-week suspension. (See story below.)

That’s a good question. Crouch points out that the original report of Jacobson specifically saying "F— Jesus" came from a blog and has not been confirmed by a particular eyewitness at the event, Scott Cronick of the Press of Atlantic City, whom Couch asked about it yesterday. Cronick said that he does not believe she said "F— Jesus."

Couch’s point is that mainstream journalists should not quote information from blogs because bloggers are not responsible journalists and not reliable news sources. Real journalists—which Couch appears to define as people working for corporate newspapers, magazines, TV shows, radio stations, and websites—check their facts and are "reliable."

If I ever see any responsible journalism in the mainstream media, I’ll check on that contention.

Remember that it was the mainstream media that convicted the Duke lacrosse players accused of rape, and it was web journalists such as I who argued from the beginning that the case was an obvious frame-up. We were right, and they were wrong. 

To be sure, Couch agrees that if Jacobson really did say what she is accused of saying, she should be fired, not just suspended. In addition, he recognizes that the evidence strongly suggests she said something so offensive that her bosses don’t want it confirmed, and that it probably was exactly what has been reported:

ESPN has a tape of the event. [Christian Defense Coalition director, the Rev. Patrick J.] Mahoney said he spoke with an ESPN executive who didn’t deny that Jacobson had said it and wouldn’t show the tape. So, Mahoney said, responsibility is on ESPN.

I respect Mahoney’s passion, but his ground is shaky. It is not becoming of a reverend to make an example of someone who might be innocent.

That said, ESPN isn’t handling this right, either. Why not show the tape? Jacobson’s apology did say, ”I respect all religions.”

Why would she say that? It is suspicious, when neither ESPN nor Jacobson will stand up and deny the rumors. ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz wouldn’t hand the tape over to me, either. Why?

Why, indeed? Perhaps the web reports were more reliable than Couch wishes to admit. Couch is right to point out that no one has been identified as actually having been at the event and willing to confirm that Jacobson actually said the offending words.

Yet ESPN has a tape and could easily end the discussion if she is indeed innocent of the charge.

Unless Jacobson’s bosses deny that she did it and come forward with exculpatory evidence, it is certainly reasonable to believe that the rumors are true.