I am perplexed by Neosho Daily News editor Buzz Ball's column in today's paper.
In the column, he explained his reasoning for not running a story on writing in the Neosho High School bathroom that indicated a school shooting was going to take place. According to the column, the Daily and KBTN, Neosho's radio station, elected not to run the story, while the TV stations and the Joplin Globe (which Ball coyly refers to as "another area newspaper") publicized it.
Ball listed four reasons for his decision not to run the story:
1. Writing on a bathroom wall is not enough documentation. (Apparently, the Daily is a stickler for requiring threats to be notarized before they can be taken seriously.)
2. It could generate unnecessary panic and concern if it turned out to be a hoax.
3. "I was assured by school officials that every action necessary was being taken to keep the students safe. "
4. "A story is exactly what the writer of the threat wanted- exposure."
So let me see if I understand this: Rumors are flying around the Neosho R-5 School District that someone is plotting a school shooting, people are already worrying, and the paper of record does not take advantage of the opportunity to tell the people what is really going on and curb some of that panic because it might give some kid some publicity he or she does not deserve.
There are a number of reasons for running the story, none of which, judging from the column, ever occurred to Ball.
1. It was the most important news story of the day and the Daily let it be shaped by other media. It could have taken an evenhanded approach to the coverage and reassured the readers that everything was all right.
2. This was a perfect opportunity to show readers just how school officials and local law enforcement react any time a threat of school violence is discovered. Does the school have a workable plan? This was the first time new High School Principal Chuck Blaney has gone through this kind of thing at Neosho (unless, of course, the Daily is hiding other news from its readers). I have known Chuck Blaney for 27 years and I know he handled it professionally, but it might be a good idea to reassure parents and students of that. How did the Neosho Police Department react? It's a matter of peace of mind, as well as use of taxpayer money.
3. When the person who left the message is caught (and invariably, these people tell at least one other person about what they did), then the reader can be told what the punishment is (without revealing the name of the student). If the punishment is severe enough (and I am willing to bet it is) , that should discourage others from seeking publicity in this manner.
4. The statement "I was assured by school officials that every action necessary was being taken to keep the students safe." It's great that Buzz Ball was reassured. Why didn't he feel that his readers deserved the same reassurance?