The media needs to handle the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs saga with care

There’s an African proverb that says, “Until the lions tell the story, the hunter will always be the hero,” that serves as a contemporary reminder about the power of storytelling. This sentiment feels especially relevant as we continue to learn more about the accusations and federal indictments levied against disgraced music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. The stories about Combs and his alleged decades of sexual violence are layered, complicated, and nuanced. And those reporting on the details can shape the narrative and impact how future generations reflect — and learn — from the subject. Soon after Combs’ former girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against the Bad Boy Records founder in November 2023 alleging abuse, rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, announced he was going to produce a documentary about the multiple allegations against Combs. Jackson has had a successful track record of leveraging his rap career into a long-reaching television empire, which includes shows such as Power and BMF on Starz, and ABC’s For Life. I suspect the upcoming documentary on Combs, which has reportedly found a home at Netflix, will resonate with an even larger audience, underscoring the need to relay such a critical matter with great care. Related...