A former senior editor at the New York Post has publicly denounced his old newspaper, calling its front-page characterization of a woman shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent a "disgrace." The incident has ignited a fierce debate about media bias and the framing of victims in politically charged stories.
Former Editor's Scathing Critique
David Yelland, who served as a deputy editor at the Post in the 1990s, took to the social media platform X to voice his outrage. The controversy stems from the Post's Friday front page, which described Renee Nicole Good, the 37-year-old Minneapolis woman killed on Wednesday, as a "'Warrior' of the Left."
"Today's New York Post is a disgrace. I speak as a former deputy editor of that paper," Yelland wrote. In subsequent posts, he directly challenged journalists working for outlets owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch, which includes the New York Post, to take a stand against what he called dismissive and prejudiced coverage.
"What are serving Murdoch editors going to do about the lies and prejudice being told (and repeated by some of their colleagues) around this murder?" Yelland demanded. "Stand by and just go to the bars tonight and forget it? Or grow some balls."
Contentious Coverage and Broader Backlash
The Post's article described Good as part of a "lefty enclave" in a south Minneapolis neighbourhood known for activism, noting "a large number of homes with windows decked out in LGBTQ+ flags or signs depicting George Floyd." Good was shot shortly after dropping off her six-year-old son at school. She shared the child with her wife, Becca.
Yelland, who later edited the UK's The Sun before moving into public relations, also criticized other mainstream publications for employing a "both sides" narrative in reporting Good's death. "I've never been angrier with my old newspaper peers than today. They lie about the murder of a mother," he wrote. "Why? What is the matter with them?"
His sentiment was echoed by Canadian lawyer Warren Kinsella, who called the Post's cover "fucking appalling." Yelland agreed, responding, "Quite right. Well said. Why are so many mainstream journalists happy to smear this woman? What the fuck is going on in their heads?"
Political Framing of the Tragedy
The shooting and its aftermath have become a flashpoint in America's culture wars. Former President Donald Trump and members of his administration have sought to frame the ICE agent's actions as self-defense. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem went further, describing Good's behaviour prior to the shooting as an act of "domestic terrorism."
This narrative has been amplified by numerous conservative media outlets, all of which have faced significant backlash for their coverage. The incident underscores the deep divisions in how such events are reported and perceived, often along stark political lines.
The forceful condemnation from a former insider like David Yelland highlights the intense internal and external scrutiny facing media organizations over their editorial choices, particularly in stories involving immigration, law enforcement, and political identity.
