Extra Credit: Case Study #2

Case Study

The local community club is a hub of town activity, but in its 77-year history, it has never had a woman member. The club promotes community projects and social activities and also has political influence. Knowing that some women would like to join the club, a reporter for the student newspaper wants to interview club officers and find out why no woman has ever been admitted as a member. The superintendent of schools, a past president of the club, asks the editors to postpone covering the story until after the town votes on a school referendum two months away. He is afraid a controversial story about the club could cause some people to vote against the referendum in retribution.

Questions:

Should the editors agree to delay coverage?

Editors should not agree to delay coverage.

How can they justify their decision?

The community club is known to be a hub, however, in a town where there are both men and women co-existing together, there should be a reason to have women in the club in order to have a representative for the women in the community. This coverage aims to bring light to the reason why there have not been any female members - which is completely different from the upcoming school referendum that is coming up. While it may seem like a controversial story on the side of the community club, so as long as there aren’t any dirty secrets going on behind the club’s decision on admitting members, there should not be any problems with the article being covered as the main idea is just why are there no female members.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of delaying coverage?

Advantages: The advantages of delaying coverage would benefit the club’s image. Most people will attend the voting unaware and proceed on with their lives as usual and go alongside the club’s activities without questioning. An advantage on the side of the student newspaper is that they will be able to retain their job as editors and continue publication without any interference from the club and co-exist alongside.

Disadvantages: This disadvantage affects the student newspaper, for if word went out that they delayed a coverage that covers a very relevant topic to the community, they would be known as a publication that cares about the decision from the top rather than the community. The women who were curious would also feel that the action taken was too late and rather unjust.

What risks do editors take if they go ahead with the story despite the superintendent’s request?

One major risk editors take if they proceed with the story coverage is losing their position as editors of the student newspapers. The superintendent could request for them to leave their position and if serious enough, it could risk them expulsion from the school as the superintendent has control over the schools.

If the editors happen to be over 18, they could also risk being sued in court under the act of defamation for the club. The club could decide that the article could be an attempt at tainting the club's name and hence, the board could go under fire and be at risk of being sued.