Massillon Head Coach/Director of Media Relations

[MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp]

Given the thread regarding a Massillon native and reporter on the Tiger Town Talk forum, if you were the head coach of the Massillon Tigers and the position also came with the title director of media relations, what would be your expectations for reporters and their papers?

The reason I asked this is because I want to see the various stances that posters would have if they were the leader of the Tigers football program. I am welcome to all answers.

[longtimefirsttime]

It's been mentioned before. Be fair and accurate. Digging for "dirt" to publish about high school players is unacceptable.

[MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp]

longtimefirsttime,

Ok...if push came to shove right now, how much time will you spend looking at the sports section on Tigers coverage?

[Tiger54]

It's been mentioned before. Be fair and accurate. Digging for "dirt" to publish about high school players is unacceptable.

Talking about digging for dirt---what did you think of our local paper printing the picture and article about our Tiger football player on the front page when he was busy giving his all for the team and community at the time that this incident happened? I would have been pretty darned hurt if that had been me. What kind of journalistic integrity is that?! Lord, maybe they should have done a little digging for facts before they did that--or is that expecting too much out of the Inde?

[CarlE]

longtimefirsttime,

Ok...if push came to shove right now, how much time will you spend looking at the sports section on Tigers coverage?

None.

[longtimefirsttime]

longtimefirsttime,

Ok...if push came to shove right now, how much time will you spend looking at the sports section on Tigers coverage?

How much per day? A few minutes. Why? Because it's free to access. If I had to pay to do so, I wouldn't. I couldn't tell you the last time I purchased an Independent.

[TigerVic]

Another thing not to report: Player injuries- No aid or comfort to the enemy! This means reporters keep their mouths shut every now and then (Is that possible nowadays?).

Another thing not to include: Polls asking if we'll beat certain teams (Why don't they ask if Jackson will beat Lake or whoever?). Although the one this week should get the anger going amongst the team.

[Obie Wan]

Another thing not to report: Player injuries- No aid or comfort to the enemy! This means reporters keep their mouths shut every now and then (Is that possible nowadays?).
Perhaps your beef here is with Tom Stacy. He doesn't seem to have any qualms about providing injury reports to the media.

[CATS44]

I want first and foremost truth and accuracy. Neither take talent, and only one takes any effort.

Tell the truth and take the time to check your facts. When you screw up, which is inevitable, be man enough to say so...in just as large headlines as your mistake.

The sports reporter referred to above does none of that.

Lets take a column in todays Rep as an example. Read the following paragraph that opened that column.

"Before a down was played, no team in the Big Ten had as much respect as Wisconsin. The Badgers were picked to win the conference. They started the season No. 7 in the writers’ and coaches’ polls, which made them the highest rated team in the conference. "

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=378227&Category=17&subCategoryID=30

The problem with that paragraph is that its simply not true.

Wisconsin was not picked as the preseason Big Ten favorite. Wisconsin did not start the season as the highest ranked Big Ten team in either poll. Michigan was chosen as the conference favorite and began the season ranked fifth, two spots above Wisconsin.

Now, the writer in question covers the Buckeyes for the Rep and has for years. He knows that what he wrote was false. He actually wrote a column about the Big Ten conference favorite. Here it is:

http://www.cantonrep.com/archive/index.php?Category=17&ID=367857&r=2&subCategoryID=

Of course, without that lead in paragraph, his story in todays Rep doesnt carry as much oomph. He falsified his column to make his story seem bigger than it is.

If this was a one time occurence, it wouldnt be of much note. But it is part of a track record, and not an anomaly. When a papers lead sports reporter doesnt tell the truth...when he cant be counted upon to get his facts straight...why buy the paper?

I was given a piece of wisdom one time by a person I highly respect:

"If you tell a lie, all it does is ensure that everything you say from then on is thought of as a lie."

I can get non facts, rumors, speculations, and purposeful misinformation on the internet.