The Badger Herald

OPINION & EDITORIAL

Paper’s account of alleged rape unfair

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by Letters to the Editor

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Dear Editor,

If news reporters have learned but one thing over the past few years, it is that it holds enormous power over its readers. And when something is reported, whether true or not, it is usually taken at the word of the writer. This makes fairness and bias the determining factor in how a story is perceived.

I hope the Herald understands how unfair and biased the report of "Alleged Rape at UW Frat" has been. While we must acknowledge the need for the pursuit of the truth in issues that matter, your coverage of the story was tactless and unprofessional for such a reputable publication. Rather than attempt to contact or speak with anyone within the realm of the case, you relied on comments given by people who had previously never known anything of the matter. In a case with an allegation such as this, it is imperative that it be thoroughly investigated and given time for facts to be collected before publishing given the repercussions involved. Instead the article harps on points made about removing the organization from campus, administrative action, and prosecuting the persons who committed a crime that does not yet exist. That is not to say that there is no need to quickly give this issue fair attention, but rather fair reporting. Instead you have smeared an otherwise quiet and unassuming organization, and embarrassed a group of students irreparably. While the victim's pain is tragic, your story completely ignores all evidence and common sense in the case, and brings incredible detriment to those accused.

I have been an avid reader of the Herald for four years now, and I have never come across anything like this in your publication. I don't believe you understand the gravity of this story or how it effects those involved. And that should be one of the first things that crosses your writers and editors' minds, not just how much attention it will garner. The need for haste in your stories and the number of readers of your paper should never compromise the integrity of fair journalism. In this case, you have cause unwarranted harm with reckless reporting within an otherwise well written and thoughtful news source. What began as a victim who felt mistreated by the police has now been distorted and blown up into a spectacle that has caused even more grief and pain because of how it was handled by the press. From the Duke lacrosse scandal to weapons of mass destruction, the media continually reports on things without a clear view of the circumstances.

It is my hope that the Herald never falls into this category again, and that it remedies its mistake fairly and appropriately. But, like most stories of this kind, when the issue is resolved and there isn't a guilty verdict or someone isn't arrested, the story won't be deemed newsworthy. And in the end, a new group of victims will be created.

Daniel Kitzis (drkitzis@wisc.edu)

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Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 2:15am):

Agreed.
I don't think the DC is better than the BH on many occasions, but this is one shameful time.

Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 11:39am):

the Badger Herald is a completely biased news source, with narrow news coverage and 50% of articles being of a Cosmo-type nature. they cater to entertaining students who are waiting for lecture to start, their goal is not truth, nor is it justice. if you've read it for 4 years and not yet noticed this it's about time to start looking.

Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 12:06pm):

umm, a new group of victims, please. the paper was right to report on the schools reaction to a news story and if part of that reaction was that the frat will be punished for having underagers drinking (no matter where the alcohol came from) at their house then including that in the article is fair game.

Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 2:53pm):

I'm really weeping that your frat got bad press when a girl was raped there. You're really the victim here. Good point.

Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 5:00pm):

Right, cause it promplty stated that she was raped at the frat. People, learn to read the entire story word for word. Actually using your intelligence and forming your own thoughts and words. I.E. alleged...yep that means she was raped at the frat, when in fact it made no mention of such location. Only that there was a party there, and she went in the next day to get tested for not feeling well and fit the profile of a sexual assault victim. I have been to that fraternity's party. And as a complete stranger, I can tell you that it is nearly impossible to be somewhere in that house where you shouldnt be.

But que up all the people that will respond saying that then she was raped by a member of the house. Another point to the BH team for taking an initial story of a girls reaction to poor handling of a police case by the MPD and turning it onto the entire focus of just the rape and the reprecussions that all parties should face. I agree, punish the people that deserve to be punished. But how are you going to handle dealing with that girl's desire to remain anonymous and avoid the public spotlight, when you just threw her and every friend she has at that house into a campus wide spectacle. Think before you write

Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 7:25pm):

How did she get thrown into the public spotlight when the article doesn't mention her name? The Herald reported on the UW's reaction to the story, and they very well should have. It is unfortunate if anyone or any organization faces any loss of reputation over the story, but it is not the Herald's fault for reporting the allegations and the UW's reaction.

Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 9:24pm):

"Alleged Rape at UW Frat"...

Yep, that headline doesn't imply that the alleged incident occurred at the chapter house at all...

Anonymous (February 25, 2007 @ 1:52am):

Out of all of the fraternities at Madison, Zeta Psi is the last plce I would expect this incident to happen. It isn't a typical Langdon Street frat, their parties don't blast continuous bad rap music nor do they focus on getting people too wasted to function.

Alcohol is a part of college life, underaged students will get alcohol one way or another. The (alleged) horrible acts of one person, who may or may not even belong to the frat, should not cast a shadow over this organization until all of the facts are available.

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