upi.com - 418 views
A body believed to be that of Chicago's school board president was found floating in a river early Monday, authorities said.
The body, thought to be that of Chicago School Board president Michael Scott, was discovered in the Chicago River near the city's Merchandise Mart building about 3:15 a.m. Monday morning, The Chicago Tribune reported.
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wow....even by Chicago standards....
Was that Michael Scott I passed last Monday morning walking in to the Time Building--home of the Chicago Park District?
Was that Michael Scott that I passed walking on Clark Street three years ago?
I have to say, with three posts on this same subject, I wish there was a way to know which was the first one without having to page back in the posts. With the current setup, the latecomer or copycat posts have the advantage.
Latest tells future contributors how long ago the original share was submitted.
Back to back share contributors may not be aware of one another as was likely the case for the first two reports on the reported demise of Chicago Board of Eduction President--Michael Scott.
I agree with you but the gist of what I was saying is that I think the situation that you describe is not ideal IMO.
Agreed, Disaffected!
Further, those of us who are university-educated in journalism or professionally trained question the inclusion of apparent suicides in Windy Citizen news reports.
Pulling rank? Whatever.
How to handle suicides is a matter of ethics for many professions; journalists don't have an exclusive. However, as I opined, if the suicide is indicative of an underlying problem of import to the public, then one could reasonably expect that it's news. For example, military suicides are news because of the debate over the need for the military interventions overseas.
The benchmark that I use is the "reasonable person" not the perfect pedant.
Wait - WC is only passing on links from other "Real" news sites, the ones with the "university educated journalists" who decided this was worthy of coverage. Whats the problem?
You appeared to have been the 1st to share the UPI report on the Michael Scott demise, LeroyBored.
What's taught in journalism classes is that one should be cautious in approaching such stories where the deceased may have contributed to his own death.
I know, in Chicago you would normally be found with cement around your feet.
Suicides are rarely covered when private and by private citizens. With the turmoil in Chicago schools lately and the attention Chicago has gotten from being the city of the president, Scott was a public figure. And things about public figures, especially a suicide, or a scandal, get reported. Besides, if police rule it a suicide it is on a public record anyone could find and run with the story themselves.
With the Internet now, and groups like TMZ that ignore basic ethics, many media groups are now forced to publish the juiciest part of a story immediately just to beat out every other blogger, twitterer, and anyone else with a voice.
At times it is sad, but exciting at the same.
Regarding cement shoes: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2824/were-concrete-shoes-a-favo...
Now then, what I'm seeing in the news leads one to entertain the possibility that this is not a suicide. Police Superintendent Jody Weis says it's too early to call but acts like he doesn't buy the suicide explanation. The Trib refers to "a smear of blood on a concrete wall." What!? Scott was thought to be an upbeat, cheerful man. There was no note. As John Kass points out, this spot on the river was not one that you would expect Scott to be able to find in the dark. Scott was in education; one wouldn't expect an educator in Chicago to possess a .380-caliber handgun. Or would one?
On the other hand, let me just mention the "Werther Effect" and refer you to chapter four of Robert Cialdini's book, "Influence, The Psychology of Persuasion."
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