A reporter's role: Questioning media coverage

Should the press publish articles about crimes or investigations involving teachers, while non-teachers commit similar offenses and may not face media scrutiny?

In other words, if two people commit the same crime, but, hypothetically, one happens to work at the local coffee shop while the other teaches and coaches at the high school, why should the teacher's name end up in the newspaper and the barrista's name remain anonymous?

I've always believed a teacher or school coach committing a crime was certainly of public interest and worth reporting.

To be fair, teachers are human and some are bound to break rules or laws. In the event a crime is committed and charges are filed, teachers will certainly be subjected to the same system of justice we all face.

So why would it also be necessary for the press to report the teacher's crime in a news story and subject them to the additional shame and attention that brings?

What if the apparent victims are young students or athletes? Does that automatically become a topic of general public interest?

Some might say that teachers are role models and have responsibilities they accepted voluntarily when they chose their profession. In the process of exercising young minds, some people might expect teachers to spend the balance of their time molding students' character or morals.

I thought media coverage of teacher misconduct became essential when students were negatively affected. I believed that it became less about the shame and attention the teacher or coach received as a result of media coverage and more about shining a light on a problem area that might be doing harm to students or athletes.

Parents must know their children are safe at school and being properly educated. That trust is important.

In the case where something does go wrong, and a teacher is accused, what is the media's role and what is fair coverage?

On one hand, an internal investigation by the school district may satisfy some.

On the other hand, some may not be satisfied by an internal investigation by the school. An internal investigation may not assure the alleged victim or victim's family that justice has been served, for example. The family may feel that the benefit of the doubt was given to the teacher too easily.

Is the media's role to investigate the investigation? Or, will schools be objective and fair administrators of justice that we can all trust?

What if the police become involved in an investigation? Does the teacher or coach's misconduct then, automatically, become newsworthy?

I haven't completely abandoned my long held convictions, but I wouldn't be much of a journalist if I wasn't open minded enough to seriously consider different points of view.

If teachers receive different treatment in the media, I hope it is justified. I hope my own news judgment matures before the next story of this kind comes my way.

David A. Cole is the county reporter for the Columbia Basin Herald.