Response on Unga stories

Responsible reporting and commentary or simply bottom-feeding?

I received e-mails from readers on both sides of the aisle, regarding the Harvey Unga situation. If you’re reading this, you know the story of the BYU running back leaving school and not being allowed to return for next season, having violated the honor code. One reader sent me this note which said, in part:

“I wonder why you feel you need to publicize their infractions of the BYU honor code in the Deseret News. I feel sorry for these people!!! It must be embarrassing enough for them without you having to state this with bold print headlines and articles across page D-1. What good does this article do? The sad word can get around without the Deseret News. Perhaps you are worthy enough to cast the first stone.”

Part of another e-mail said: “Great article Rock. You hit the major issues right on point. Both parties (Unga and BYU) are better served in the long run by moving on.”

I received others, but I won’t go on.

It may be hard to believe, but reporting bad or sad news isn’t the favorite thing of most journalists (me included), nor is commenting on it. But if you’re in the news business, ignoring the departure of a star athlete – or the circumstances that led to it – isn’t an option. That’s why coach Bronco Mendenhall (for that matter, many other coaches at many other schools) insists that his players avoid anything that could embarrass them or the school.

This obviously wouldn’t have been such a public matter with a regular student. But regular students aren’t on television, on radio and in the newspapers. Most regular students don’t have their tuition, housing and books paid for, either.

I don’t believe Unga is a bad guy, and I doubt many do. He simply broke the honor code.

It’s a hard lesson to learn, but the responsibility to protect one’s image lies with the person, not the news media.

Unga’s situation won’t last forever. Many athletes have made news for far worse things than breaking the honor code at BYU, and they’ve come out with their reputations intact. Unga will be, too, if he moves ahead and puts this situation behind him.