The local television news this week has been chock full of protestors, fistfights, posturing, yelling and more high-school-pep-rally-like behavior. This was not, however, a clash between Bills and Broncos fans; instead, it took place outside the federal courthouse in Buffalo.
Inside the court, bail hearings were continuing for the six men arrested in Lackawanna last Friday on the charge of providing material evidence to a terrorist organization. The "circus," as the atmosphere outside had been described, surrounded allegations of rights trampling perpetrated by the FBI. Demonstrators' animated "conversations" with their counterparts attracted news crews, who, because of the courtroom's limited press capacity, had to wait outside until litigants and witnesses emerged. These news organizations, which have been accused of "branding" the suspects without regard to due process, are treading the thin journalistic line between sensational tabloid press and legitimate news coverage.
The news has a responsibility to report fact; the information industry, as it is sometimes called, must heed the canons of journalism that are taught in every high school and college journalism course. These canons guide the reporter toward proper coverage and responsible journalism.
Perhaps the advent and assertion of television news as the dominant news force in the country is to blame for this trend. Flying knuckles sell to advertisers and boost ratings far faster than the news that comes out of the local City Hall meetings. Fame and scandal do the same. Just ask Congressman Gary Condit or Monica Lewinsky.
Guilt is no longer ascertained in the formal halls of justice; instead, people are convicted in the informal court of public opinion. Richard Jewel was accused of bombing Centennial Park in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Ga. A variety of news organizations filmed the FBI raid of his apartment. Newspapers followed suit, and soon the name Richard Jewel was known nationwide as Atlanta's Timothy McVeigh.
There was no trial, no verdict and no evidence indicating that Jewel had any involvement in the deed. Though the charges against Jewel were dropped, he is still reviled and suspected six years later. The man was absolved by the judicial system, but because of the news agencies' decision to devote such extensive coverage to his arrest and trial, he will never be able to live a normal life.
Was the trial a newsworthy event? Certainly. The ethical question arises when the news crumbs become so tiny as to be lost in the repetition of the story. The situation in Buffalo is comparable. The fighting outside the courthouse was linked to the coverage of the trial inside, but how much did the fighting really have to do with the six accused? The unfortunate turn of events that allowed for fisticuffs outside the federal court in downtown Buffalo is hardly news. Despite the weakness of the connection, that story/newscast is one more time when the audience will hear those names linked to "terrorism," and the cycle in which Richard Jewel became caught has begun anew.
News agencies have a responsibility to report news. They also have a responsibility to those on whom they report. This is why libel laws exist. The penchant in journalism to sensationalize material for the sake of ratings is troubling. News as entertainment has become a huge industry with three major 24-hour cable news channels competing for viewers.
Sex, violence and intrigue capture the attention of the public and further propagate this programming. The inclination of network executives to change their course is not likely to change any time soon. When the lead story on the six o'clock news is about a fight nearly breaking out in front of a court where a well-known case is being heard, people will watch more often than not.
Perhaps, then, the news reflects the values of the audience as opposed to the values of journalism as an institution. The burden thus shifts to those who publish and broadcast to set the tone of public discourse or risk being ruled by its whim.
