"Can I be on TV?" I wish a had a dime for every time I've heard that question while reporting in the field. The source is usually young, an adolescent, and my response is usually "Believe me, you don't want to be on TV."
I don't have the time or space in this posting for a long discourse on what is and isn't news. Suffice to say that a fair amount of what we do involves events with which most of us have little desire to be involved. On the rare occasions in my life when I've been the subject of news coverage, it hasn't always been a comfortable experience. So, I have a good deal of sympathy for many who suddenly find themselves in the glare of media attention. It's something all of us in this business should keep in mind.
Sometimes the innocent, the uninvolved feel that scrutiny and that brings me to the subject of this entry.
You may have seen our coverage in the past half year of a January drinking party attended by a number of teenagers in Fallon. It is alleged this party was hosted by a former high school coach and that alcohol was freely provided and, it is alleged the party resulted in the intoxication and serial sexual assault on a 15 year old girl who may have been incapacitated, even unconscious during some of the assaults. The wheels of justice have moved haltingly in this case. At this writing, no charges, no lawsuits have been filed, but if any allegations prove true, this was not a proud moment for my home town and its outcome may have lasting, distrubing consequences for the lives of those involved.
Anyway, our stories have usually included footage of the home where the party was held and this week the station received an email from the present occupants of that home (not those who were living there last winter) asking us to please stop using the video and worrying to do so would cause harm to them and their child. I'm going to share my answer to them with you.....
Dear viewer, Your concern about our coverage of the teen drinking party/alleged gang rape story was forwarded to me. I'm the reporter who's been covering this story which as you note usually includes footage of the home where the party took place. I can understand your point of view. Here's my problem: it's the alleged crime scene. There's virtually no other video to accompany a retelling of what took place that night and as such it makes a point. It's not a large home, about the size of mine in northwest Reno. Put a couple of dozen teenagers and at least 2 adults in that home and it's difficult to believe that anyone there could have been unaware of what is alleged to have happened.
I am aware that those who were living there in January have moved. The footage you see was taken while they were still in residence there. The video clearly looks like winter and that too provides a little context. I haven't named those involved yet because neither the civil or criminal cases have been filed. That will change (at least for the adults) when those cases are filed. As soon as I can name names, it will be clear who is being accused. At the moment unless you are a former high school softball coach, I'd be surprised if any of your neighbors are confusing you with those involved in the incident. As this case moves forward there will be other video I can use though when I am telling the story of that night, I'll probably still use some video of the home. It remains the scene of the incident. I can't change that.
I will make you this promise: There's little need for me to include the street signs in the story. Without them the house looks like a number of others in the same neighborhood. And, when it fits the retelling of the store I will say something on the order that "..... and.....were living in this home at the time."
I have no desire to cause you any discomfort. I do think it's important for me to see the story through to the end. I don't want to make any promises that I can't keep, but mindful of your concern, I'll do my best to minimize any impact on you. I'm available to discuss this further if need be. Here's my contact information.
Ed Pearce
Senior News Correspondent
KOLO-TV
Box 10,000
Reno, Nevada 89510
775 351-0223
edpearce@kolotv.com
Thanks,
Ed
There you have it. An imperfect reply and solution, perhaps, but the best I can promise. I think this is an important story to see through to its conclusion and I'm doing it with the resources available to me. It's easy for me to apologize in advance and simply move on, but I do wrestle with issues like this. I hope those who feel discomfort can somehow understand.
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