Thursday, October 05, 2017

Slurred quotes?


You were invited to report on a USF gala event. It’s a fundraising event and lots of notable alumni are there. You are wearing a press badge, so it is apparent you are there to cover the event. In a speech during the gala, Father Fitzgerald even jokes, “don’t say anything too interesting... we have a Foghorn reporter here.” 

You interview some people, mingle as usual. There’s an open bar, so you have one drink that you carry with you throughout the night. It’s not your first beer, so you feel fine. 

Near the end of the night, you’re in a conversation with an alum who donated millions to the men’s basketball program. She’s wasted. She’s slurring and stumbling and people are giving her looks. She starts going on and on in front of you about how the school wouldn’t accept her donation UNLESS it went to men’s basketball. You know lots of students were upset about how much money was donated to athletics and not scholarships for all students. At no point does the donor tell you the conversation is off the record. Your beer glass isn’t blocking your press pass. 


Do you quote the alumni in a story you write about the school’s handling of the multi-million dollar donation? Do you write a story at all? 

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