What's Going On: How a non-story becomes a story

Sometimes, I wish this job came with a manual.

This manual would cover all aspects of journalism and how to, or not to, cover a story.

If such a manual existed, when confronted with a story like the one on today’s front page about the Methodist Church, I could simply thumb through the index and look under “long-time organist fired” and see what I should do.

But no such manual exists, and as a result, I get to spend some time on Exile Island, where I have to decide whether to cover the story or not, and if so, how.

I get to solicit other’s opinions, but if you presented the story to 10 editors, you would probably get 8 different answers.

Bottom line is, frequently there is no right answer.

If you haven’t already noticed, this column isn’t like most. I’m not trying to make you laugh or look at some life issue from a different perspective.

I’m simply giving you a little insight into one of the more difficult editorial decisions I’ve made in my 20-year career.

In that time, I’ve decided certain stories, or aspects of them, I generally won’t cover.

If there’s an unfounded bomb threat at a school, you probably won’t read about it in the Express.

The identity of a sexual assault victim? Pass. The name of a minor arrested for possession of alcohol? No thanks.

And typically, a church controversy would fall in that list. But with every example I listed, there are exceptions, and the firing of Patsy Norris seemed to meet that exception.

Why? Several reasons.

First, the moment the police were called to intervene, this stopped being an internal church affair. At that point, someone made a decision to take this controversy outside of the church’s walls and bring in outside resources. This aspect was emphasized by last week’s meeting with the church bishop, which was opened to members and non-members alike.

Second, that meeting was simply too well attended to ignore. I can’t remember a time when more than 200 people attended a meeting in Red Oak. If 50 people are at a City Council meeting, something hugely controversial is going on. It just seemed irresponsible of me to ignore that large gathering of people, especially considering how emotionally vested they are in what was being discussed.

Third, I don’t believe this story will do anything to worsen the situation at the Methodist Church. Anyone who attended that meeting, or listened to a tape of it after the fact, would have to agree that church is already divided. Nothing I write, or don’t write for that matter, will affect that fissure. Maybe I’m adding a little fuel to the fire, but I don’t think anyone will really notice considering how big the blaze already is.

If this sounds like one prolonged apology, maybe it is. I’m not proud of this story, which is why I intentionally left off my byline. I didn’t feel good writing it and I really wish I didn’t have to. It saddens me to see a church divided like this and to hear and see the hurt it has caused.

I’ve done my best to keep my personal opinion regarding this situation out of the story and this column because it really doesn’t matter. I don’t attend the Methodist Church and therefore have no say in their internal matters. But it is my job to decide what is and what isn’t news and regardless of how much I hate to report it, this seems like news to me.

I just wish I had a manual to tell me I’m right.

Gregory Orear is the General Manager/Editor of the Red Oak Express and Glenwood Opinion-Tribune. He can be contacted at publisher@redoakexpress.com.