| July 22, 2005 A Very Sensitive Subject How Should TV News Handle Sexual Assault Reporting? by Heather Baker, insurgent49 On July 14th, KTVA Channel 11 hosted a roundtable discussion with community members, related to their in-depth investigative journalism. Reporters Jill Burke, Ben Deci, Heidi Loranger, and News Director Staci Feger were all on hand to answer questions. Channel 11 wanted to know if their investigative pieces were having the effect on the public that they had hoped for. The eight panelists were asked to watch a few news clips on sexual abuse scandals in the schools and in the community, and then were asked various questions ranging from confidentiality of the parties involved to how can they “effect positive change in the community” with these stories. The general consensus from the public when it comes to anything regarding sexual assault is that news agencies need to be extremely cautious when airing the names of the victims because this can do more harm than good. When asked how they choose their stories, we were informed that KTVA gets 80-90% of their information from Anchorage Police Department press releases or through the Department of Law. As for the actual choice of story to air, basically someone decides if the story is big enough and, according to investigative reporter Ben Deci, “what’s got the most news value for that day.” KTVA seriously debates the information that they put out to the public. One thing that was pointed out to them at the meeting was the lack of uniformity among various news media. One media outlet may release a time and place, another will release a name, and yet another will release the details of the crime. All the while, they are all trying to protect the individuals involved without set guidelines, and all the information is reaching the public while doing a huge disservice to the parties involved. It was stressed that perhaps all news media outlets need to get together and create some guidelines for very sensitive stories, such as reporting on sexual assault, so that the victims can be further protected. One huge misconception that got cleared up while we were there, according to Jennifer Smerud, S.T.A.R.’s Volunteer Coordinator, is that less than 2% of rape cases reported to APD are proved to be false. Carol Comeau, Superintendent for the Anchorage School District, was also on hand to hear the comments made by the public. One thing that was lacking in the news clips regarding recent scandals among six year-olds in Anchorage schools was that Carol was asked to make some changes to the schools policies, and later found that they were sufficient. However, while airing that, KTVA did not state any of the schools’ current policies, which could have been helpful to the public. It painted a negative picture of the superintendent, and she stressed to those of us that attended “we have done absolutely everything to ensure parents that their children are safe in school.” While this may or may not be the truth, it was shown that the media can be very one sided without intending to be. All in all, it was a very productive roundtable where constructive criticism was given and well received. In order to create positive change in the community, there needs to be education. Even in 2005, there are parents out there that will not talk with their children about sex or how to keep themselves safe. It was suggested that perhaps once a month KTVA could air some education topic in relation to this. Perhaps, with the help of conscientious news outlets, Alaska can come down from its number one spot for sexual assaults in the country.
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2005
Insurgent Media. All Rights
Reserved. in-sur-gent (in sur'jent), n. 1. a member of a group which revolts against the policies of its leadership. |
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