The news organization for which you work has received a tip about a prominent politician who holds statewide office and who is running for re-election. You are asked to check it out. Please write an essay about how you would handle the scenario.
The man's daughter is your classmate. She is aware that you work for a news organization. She calls you one night and is quite emotional. She says her Dad has struck and beaten her. You check with police and find out that they have been at the politician's house to investigate a domestic violence case and the man was taken into custody and later released. To date, no charges have been filed. Authorities say the case is "under investigation." You run into the daughter on campus and she pleads with you to use the story, saying voters need to know her father is an evil man and should not be re-elected. At your news organization, there is a spirited debate. One editor says the man is a sleaze and the public ought to know about the situation. Another editor is concerned about taking a routine domestic disturbance call and blowing it out of proportion, perhaps dooming the politician's re-election bid. The second editor points out the politician, after all, has done a lot of good for the state. The editors ask your opinion. If you are inclined to use the story, how much of it do you use? Do you identify his daughter, the person he is accused of striking? If not, why not?
Keep in mind the guidelines for critical thinking.