Like many students at EPHS I viewed the Facebook “episode” with disappointment, frustration and a sense that things were just getting too blown out of proportion. I didn’t get these feelings by the typical source of teen drama and gossip circling most teenage groups, but rather a source that should be viewed as much more reliable: the media.
Even as a young journalist at a high school paper the idea of fact checked material along with credible sources is an unbreakable rule. It made me angry towards the professional news service when the only quoted sources on their websites and articles were that of students. Students during the incident knew almost nothing to what was going on and, unfortunately, that is no different than many issues that arise at the high school. Yet, news stations could not get enough of what students had to say before an official comment was given by the EPHS staff; an action that only escalated the situation, while giving a more pessimistic look towards the entire EPHS student body.
Local news reporters also brought a bias towards students who had been willing to be interviewed so that people could hear their side of the incident, not to have their words twisted to portray something completely different. It is much more different to view a misleading press service when the person quoted is not some far off celebrity but rather a classmate. The fact that columnists in the state’s largest newspaper can add a clear prejudice while attacking teenagers who simply made a bad choice goes to show that there are professional journalists who simply wait for news to appear so that vicious remarks can be said. Does this not add to the idea that an industry several years ago based itself on informative and journalistic material today has moved into the direction of peer commentary while barely scratching at the surface? While the media cannot be blamed completely for their use of student sources (who would honestly say that this incident is only going to make kids better at hiding underage-drinking), there is clearly a balance that should have been kept of where the information was coming from.
Along with the incompetence of the media is the view that was given towards EPHS and the community. Even though this experience has been damaging for some, it should not devalue our city and schools. T his school is full of good and hardworking kids who shouldn’t be stereotyped because of the mistakes by their peers.
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