The Big F-ups

Did you see the whole mess about Gopher hockey team members who were caught drinking on tape? This report is one of the least ethical and most poorly reported TV news stories that I have ever seen. When will TV news realize this is why people hate watching local news and that these shoddy efforts at real reporting jeopardizes the credibility of all news orgazations, including newspapers?

This idea couldn't fly, but I wish there was a way to create a national accredited journalism organization made of the best journalists, who had the authority to set standards and discipline others who hurt journalistic credibility. Of course that little thing called the Constitution makes sure it's so we have a free press, a critical element to democracy that keeps our leaders accountable (eg, the CIA leak) and seeks the truth wherever it may hide.

Regardless how bad this story was reported, it did uncover wrongdoing that should be dealt with. This state is in love with its hockey and players, and the public demands wins. Like many top hockey campuses, players are treated like celebrities and do receive preferencial treatment. Few will contest this goes on, but people should not blind themselves by their anger at Fox 9 and forget about the fact that indeed, the pucksters are ignoring the law and -- perhaps more importantly to them -- breaking eligibility rules of the NCAA. You may not be concerned over a drinking ticket, but is drinking a beer at 18 at a popular campus bar worth your scholarship?

I'm also sick of excuses. Athlete or not, people start bitching as soon as the law catches up to them. I can almost guarantee these guys are spouting out about injustices around town right now with statements like, "everybody at college drinks before they're 21" or "nobody cares about that law" or "you'll never get busted for this."

This is clearly a story worthy of coming out in the media -- but not in a three-part, sensationalistic, unnecessarily undercover report meant to drive up ratings during sweeps week. If I was the news director, I'd recommend no more than a one day story focusing on preferential treatment given to all athletes, highlighting the underage drinking of all students. To focus solely on hockey players while you know much more rampant law-breaking is occuring is unfair and gives viewers a sense that the station has a gripe against the players.

Regardless, this is no different from freshman busted on the sidewalk with a backpack full of beer, a off-campus party that's raided by the cops, or a fight outside a bar, these fellas put themselves in this situation. They should own up to it. As for all you fire-breathing Gopher fans (including myself for some sports), you should have realized this story was going to come out eventually.

But damn, Fox 9, you guys suck at telling stories in a way that is helpful for the public and not solely driven for a ratings hike. You should all question why you are at this station if this is the kind of crap you want to shout to the world.