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To Name or Not to Name?

 

            
             It was the classic high school glory story. Football players were failing multiple classes and were still being allowed to play in the games. The administration was looking the other way because the team was defying all logic and doing surprisingly well that year. As I was writing the story I was faced with the choice to name the players or just use a blanket statement as to avoid identifying the individuals. In the end I used their names. It wasn't the easiest decision to make, but I have always believed that if you are going to report a story you should report the whole story. .
             Whether or not the Rob Novak was leaked the story on Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson's wife in the end it was a newsworthy story, one that the public had a right to hear. In a perfect world I believe the news should never be censored, although it often is for a variety of reasons, and the public should be given the opportunity to see the whole truth before making an informed decision. If Novak had pulled the name for no other reason then making the article more PC then he would guilty robbing the public of information they had every right to know. .
             Also, has horrible that it might sound to those outside of the journalism circle, without the name it would not have been as good of a story. All reporters hope to have a story that will put then on the map and make them a household name. Without the name it would be a story, but one that would be looked over. With the name the story has sparked an investigation into the CIA and the Bush administration. Rob Novak's story has had an impact that is far reaching and has the possibility of initiating change, a journalist can not ask for more then that. .
             I have done it once and I would do it again, while naming names may sound harsh to some people I cannot say that I would censor the name of the CIA agent in an act to me more PC. Not only does the public have a right to know, but it is also about not being afraid to ruffle some feathers and getting the story.


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