Reporting on murders in Moscow, Idaho, pop. 25,000, needs more ethics and depth, not rumors, local journalist writes

The Dec. 3 press release from the City of Moscow, Idaho, about the unsolved murders in the college town of 25,000 said "No suspect has been identified and only vetted information that does not hinder the investigation will be released to the public. There is speculation, without factual backing, stoking community fears and spreading false information."

Rebecca J. Tallent

Unfortunately, some of the speculation and fear-stoking comes from news-media reporting, retired journalist and professor Becky Tallent of Moscow writes for the Moscow-Pullman Daily News. She says the coverage of the murders of four students has been more sensational than factual: "Reporters are supposed to find the news, tease out rumor and innuendo to report facts; but too many reporters covering the story are using rumor as the basics of their stories. Too many are using words like 'terrible' and 'horrifying' in their work. I’m sorry, but: Duh. Of course the story is, they do not need to state the obvious."

While it's true that the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students has left the "town shaken with a killer on the loose," Tallent says reporting could better serve the community with journalism that explores and vets their stories. "Rather than spinning their wheels in the rumor mill, why don’t the reporters look at campus security in general — not just UI, but around the country? All campuses must do annual audits of safety and security for students, these are available to the public. Are there trends? Talk about the frustration people are feeling, not just the student fear. In a community such as the Palouse, everything is connected and a lack of information leaves a specific void which people try to fill in other ways."

Tallent asks reporters to use the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics as their North Star. "Some other things reporters covering the story need to remember include (under the 'Seek Truth and Report It' subhead), journalists should: Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible."

Even if the information is slow to come out, Tallent says reporting should be a combination of journalism ethics and inquisitive minds. "Talking to students is one angle many reporters are pursuing, but why stop with students and administrators? Why not also talk with faculty, staff and townspeople? Or also chat with people at Washington State University? They, too, are deeply impacted by the crime." WSU is in Pullman, Wash., about seven miles from the Idaho school.