I never thought I’d give Donald Trump credit for anything, but I must say, his “fake news” campaign has been successful at destroying the reputation of news media and journalists, even in the HBCU space.
I’ve come to this conclusion following the hand wringing, finger wagging and whataboutism from several readers across HBCU Sports and other HBCU outlets’ Facebook pages following the reports of Delaware State University president Dr. Tony Allen facing a DUI charge.
One commenter went as far as to call it “gossip,” when there are police reports that are accessible through the Freedom of Information Act (journos, we better enjoy that luxury while we still can).
The general disdain for anything reported that isn’t unicorns and rainbows is proof that Trump’s misinformation campaign has paid off handsomely for anyone wishing to run from the spirit of accountability. It doesn’t bring any journalist joy or pleasure in reporting someone’s missteps. We simply are just doing our jobs; reporting the facts.
Before this column proceeds, it’s no secret I’m a proud alumnus of Delaware State University. I’ve crossed paths with Dr. Allen several times; I admire the work he’s done in building DSU into a Top 10 public HBCU and he’s a very affable guy. I’m not here to judge his mistake by any means and I do hope this does not derail the considerable progress DelState has made under his leadership.
What I am here to discuss is one of my favorite sayings I’ve ever heard in my 20-plus years in this industry, usually attributed to George Orwell or William Randolph Hearst, but the origins are unclear.
That saying is, “News is something somebody doesn’t want printed; all else is advertising.”
People are tired of bad news, I get it; the national news cycle is nothing but the worst of what the United States has always been. Escapism is something we all practice when things get too dark or deep to deal with.
However, questioning whether an HBCU news outlet should be reporting news involving an HBCU president is where the line must be drawn.
The entire HBCU Sports staff holds journalism/communications degrees from HBCUs. We know the score. Our aim is not to embarrass or humiliate anyone in our reporting. Yet and still, refusing to report something because “we can’t afford to be negative” is dereliction of duty. Period.
Then again, I shouldn’t be surprised.
Last summer, I spent an entire month compiling interviews, police reports and other assorted documents for a story regarding turmoil within the Virginia State women’s lacrosse program under previous athletic leadership.
That story was probably the toughest of my career because several young ladies and their parents entrusted me with some horrific things they were going through. Still, I kept a stiff upper lip and reported my findings.
Nobody cared. And that was disappointing, to say the least.
Ignoring uncomfortable situations is how this country got in the mess it’s in right now and if we’re going to just report the good news and nothing else, then we’re being unrealistic about life.
There are good days and bad days. Also, for every bad news story an outlet runs, there are 10 good ones that people ignore because their morbid curiosity leads them to see what the trouble could be.
And there’s the dirty little secret; you, the reader/viewer, influence what’s reported. If you want good news, read and view the good news stories.
There is no fun in reporting bad news, but ignoring it makes the situation worse.
While we’re not here to judge the people and institutions we cover, we are here to cover them in totality.
Hopefully folks will remember that the next time something good happens and the comment sections are as quiet as Catholic mass.
