Spring Break
Our Take
Majority opinions of The Red & Black's editorial board
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Opinions
A sensitive story
The Red & Black has used the utmost care reporting Saturday's shooting.Within 35 minutes of the tragic shooting on Saturday, The Red & Black was on the scene gathering information and reporting it to the public.
Although several people have praised our fast and in-depth coverage, we've heard complaints faulting us for the methods we used.
Beyond interviewing witnesses and those connected to people involved, we as journalists have limited ways of discerning what actually happened at the Athens Community Theater.
We have been as respectful as possible while still aiming to provide the University community with up-to-date information as the case progresses. This is our job as a newspaper.
Our main goal is to learn about the happenings in and around our University and relay them back to you, our readers.
However, in cases such as this, doing so is more complicated than usual.
Obtaining information about the victims and George Zinkhan is a tricky business for any news outlet, yet as a student newspaper, The Red & Black is the most connected to this event.
Emily Foshee, a neighbor of the Zinkans, told one of our reporters she preferred talking to us. "If FOX News knocks on the door, that's a little intrusive," she said. "This is pretty intimate - it's more reason than just The Athens Banner-Herald asking or whatever ... You're not in a news van, it's not intrusive."
Despite our best efforts to be courteous and understanding to all those involved, we have received letters and seen comments on our Web site shaming our coverage.
One poster ranted, "The Red & Black ought to be ashamed with the deplorable way in which they are handling Saturday's tragedy at the Town & Gown theatre... the Red & Black were desperately ravenous for a story... American journalists and reporters, as usual, has been behaving like hungry vultures, and they have utterly no respect for the families of Tom, Marie, and Ben."
On the contrary, we have the utmost consideration for the families. We have had to separate ourselves from the situation and view it as journalists - not as Athens citizens. In spite of the necessary detachment, speaking with those affiliated is no easy task. It is emotionally draining for the reporter as well as for those contacted.
Our goal in reporting this story was just that - to report the news. We have no interest in selling papers (as anyone can pick up a copy or read online for free). Stating we have no goal outside of monetary gain is insulting to journalists of all ages and experience levels.
This story made the national news, but it most affects the community here - everyone has the right and a need to know what is going on half a mile away from campus.
- Megan Otto for the editorial board
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 11
perfect
posted 4/29/09 @ 8:56 AM EST
Great take on the entire thing Megan.
Don't worry about anything that random people might say - there are always going to be those looking for the negative in everything. (Continued…)
anon
posted 4/29/09 @ 10:58 AM EST
It is the job of a journalist to report the news, and I don't think the sensitivity to this issue was taken lightly by anyone involved.
However, I would be careful using the argument "we have no interest in selling papers". (Continued…)
NJ
posted 4/29/09 @ 11:23 AM EST
Yea...Shannon Otto's sister is replacing her. Lets hope she has a better head on her shoulders.
the poster who "ranted"
posted 4/29/09 @ 2:56 PM EST
As usual, my quote was taken out of context. This columnist left out the part where I explained that the Red & Black reporters were constantly hounding my friends, who had witnessed the shooting, under the pretense that they were going to ask about a play we recently did. (Continued…)
Lauren
posted 4/29/09 @ 3:02 PM EST
NJ, you don't know Shannon, because if you did, you would know that she is one of the brightest, sweetest people in Athens and a damn-talented journalist. (Continued…)
m.
posted 4/29/09 @ 7:04 PM EST
I've been quite amazed at the coverage in the R&B. At first I turned to the AJC. Then the ABH. Then, the R&B. I'd say the coverage in the R&B is far superior to the ABH and on par with the AJC. (Continued…)
Snowflake
posted 4/29/09 @ 8:10 PM EST
Thank you for the good work you are doing on this story. I have a personal interest in the events, but I am many states away. I have been visiting the Red & Black several times a day to track new developments. (Continued…)
NJ
posted 4/29/09 @ 10:41 PM EST
To Lauren:
I don't have to meet Ms. Otto. All I have to do is look at the R&B opinions page, read Ms. Otto's columns, and the columns she allows to print. (Continued…)
MS
posted 4/30/09 @ 12:13 AM EST
The biggest complaints about the Red and Black's conduct that I have heard were from staffers of that same paper.
If even the insiders have issues with how things have been/continue to be handled, isn't it likely there's something in that?
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