Editorial

Just days after Mississippi Today won a Pulitzer Prize for its reporting on the Mississippi welfare scandal, Phil Bryant has signaled intent to sue the outlet for defamation.

The TANF welfare scandal unquestionably marks a gross breach in public trust. What occurred was criminal and people will go to jail for it. Determining who goes to jail, however, is a question for prosecutors, courts, and juries—based on evidence. It will not be decided by reporters on the back of cleverly constructed innuendo. Guilt by innuendo is reckless and dangerous.