Reporting the tough stories

Last week's ombudsman column articulated how important it is for reporters to be respectful of the people they write about.\nReporters don't always have to be nice; in fact, sometimes the tough stories require one to be courageous and say the things that need to be said, regardless of the consequences. Being nice and being respectful isn't the same thing, but the latter is definitely of more importance than the former.\nThat's why it's troubling to hear about the threats that have been made against IDS reporter Bryan Harris, junior, who wrote the Nov. 27 front-page story about Jason Schwab's suicide. Harris' story was unfortunately titled, "On-campus suicide a surprise to friends, family."\nThe word "surprise" was inappropriate. "Surprise" carries an almost positive connotation -- as in a "surprise" birthday party or a "pleasant surprise." While the word's denotative meaning is closer to "unexpected" or "unanticipated" -- which Schwab's suicide was -- one tends to associate words such as "shock" and "stunned" with such tragic and traumatic events. Substituting either of those would have made for a better headline.\nA more pressing matter is that of the threats made to Harris. Schwab's family is upset about the way his suicide was reported in the IDS. The administration is upset because an on-campus suicide does not make for good press. Both parties have complained to and/or made threats against Harris and the IDS. \nComplaints are acceptable. Threats are wrong. Yes, Harris' story contained details of Schwab's death that are distressing to even a casual reader; most of us can only imagine the horror with which a grieving family would react upon reading such an account. But the reporting is solid and based on the investigation of the Monroe County Coroner and the IU Police Department.\nHarris' story was respectful toward Schwab and his family. Most of it consisted of fond, wistful remarks from Schwab's parents and others who knew him. Suicide is one of the most terrible things that can happen to a family. It is not something journalists enjoy reporting and writing about. But the reporting must be done. This is probably little consolation for Schwab's family, but it is unreasonable to think such an incident would or should go unreported.\nThe toughest stories are often the ones that simply must be reported. If reporters make enemies in the process, so be it -- sometimes the reporter is to blame, and sometimes the subject is at fault. But many times no one is at fault. This is one of those times. \nA family's grief cannot be translated into words and sentences. Likewise, a reporter's words in a newspaper story cannot truly represent his or her emotional or psychological state. We are supposed to be objective in our reporting and not let our personal feelings influence what we write. Sometimes we succeed in spite of our desire to empathize.\nHarris, like all reporters, is a human being who laughs and cries. He didn't let his own feelings influence what he wrote about Schwab's death. What he wrote was not easy to read, but it was true and accurate. Now, because of a family's grief that has turned into threats and intimidation, he is having second thoughts about writing a follow up story that would investigate the University's privacy policy as it relates to suicidal students such as Schwab -- information that, if brought to light, could help prevent such tragedies.\nA family's grief -- as deep and ravaging as it might be -- should not hinder or intimidate reporters such as Harris. Schwab's family made their distress known to him through both an angry phone call and a letter to the editor, which the IDS printed Dec. 1. The latter was acceptable, and well within their rights; the former was not. \nThe mourning process is difficult for any family, and this column will probably not make it any easier for the Schwabs. But respect is something that needs to go both ways. As difficult as it is to muster when emotions are running so high, respect is, nonetheless, a quality that can both help families grieve and keep reporters diligent.