MTV thread spinoff: negative press

[peachy]

I haven't done a lot of posting here so far, but I've done a ton of reading, and I've seen no threads that attempt to address the real reasons why the media loves to kick Greek organizations when they're down, seek out what isn't there, or make mountains out of molehills.

Why are GLOs such fodder for the media? I think that it’s because GLOs meet the following criteria… all a recipe for press that sells…

1. They have selective membership.
2. They have members-only activities. ("What is Susie doing while her parents shell out to get her a good education?").
3. The members who are most in the public eye are college-age, often under the age of 21.
4. The meaning of their names and symbols are secret.
5. The majority of their non-private activities are not readily noticeable (study hours, leadership training, paperwork, communicating with alumni, etc.), so outsiders don't see the work, and the responsibilities and benefits of membership are lost on them.

Let's consider reports of athletic teams who haze. They have selective membership (you must have the athletic skills to play), they have a private activity (the hazing) and many members are under 21. But... the team name and symbols have no private meanings, and the majority of their activities are familiar to outsiders (team practice) or even open to outsiders (games, award ceremonies), so outsiders see the work and have fun attending the activities to cheer on their team.

This is just one example, but it seems to me that because GLOs meet ALL of the above criteria, the media can't help but jump on anything negative. Anything positive is treated like a fluke.

Unfortunately, because the above criteria are inherent to most GLOs, it is possible that the media's attitude will never change. In response to any unfair press, GLOs quickly (and rightfully!) point out that these are exceptions to the rule, and that GLO membership is highly beneficial. Sadly, this "band-aid response" never seems to work.

There may be gaping holes in this theory, but it's true that GLOs get singled out above and beyond all other fraternal groups (The Elks, The Moose, biker clubs, scouting, you name it).

So, if my criteria theory is correct, then what can be done to change the attitude of the media, without sacrificing who we are, what we do and what we stand for? "Band-aid responses" don't work... so what will? I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.

[Kevin]

I'd be willing to bet that most people have no idea that we even have secrets in our fraternities. And by that theory wouldn't Delta Upsilon be spared?

I don't buy it. I think it's just the media capitalizing on an image of us that people are intrigued by. Particularly our parties.

[FuzzieAlum]

I think part of it is that for years Greeks made themselves the center of the social circle at colleges. I mean, sure, people went to basketball games, but there a certain decorum was expected from the team. When people went to see fraternities, they were there for a party.

And even though there are lots of independents at a Greek party, it's associated with the house throwing it. So in lots of people's minds fraternities=beer. Never mind that independents have parties too, or that they probably drank most of the beer there!

And when your non-Greek saw a sorority in action, what did she probably see? Girls in matching t-shirts chanting on the sidewalk to go give some girl a bid. So they see us at our most peppy and conformist.

Neither of these things are what a GLO is about (although parties and togetherness are certainly fun and/or important) but they are what outsiders are seeing. How much of our philanthropy is really visible to the campus? If we go clean up litter, who sees us? If we have a dance marathon, do a lot of independents come? When we're helping a sister through a bad breakup, isn't that private? And why should an independent stop to think about our grades, for example? For the most part, we think about the media's opinion of us a lot more than the average non-Greek stops to think about Greeks at all. They don't have a compelling reason to think about Greeks and whether their opinion is accurate.

And Greeks do have some sins in their past, if you will. White-only membership for many. Hazing. Dues too expensive for many people. Parties that were out of control. Some of these still happen some places. As long as people still know girls who dropped out for hazing, guys who were rejected for race, chapters where everyone drives a BMW, there is going to be a mix of understandable indignation and resentment.

A lot of things are changing - dry houses, more multicultural houses, even new GLOs. But until the whole system really is everything it claims to be, we won't change many minds. One bad apple, even if it is only one, is anecdotal evidence that things really are the way people always heard they were.

[theta sig agd]

I wanted to get a list of Greeks in the media to come together and counter the negative press, and also get some positive press out on greeks, but it wasnt recieved well???

[Kevin]

Theta sig... The press is willing to listen to anyone that talks to it. You just have to be quick and TIMELY with your information. It's just good public relations practices that get the press on your side. The majority of reporters are just trying to get ENOUGH information before their deadline to put a story together. Unfortunately, accuracy and such sometimes fall by the wayside. Typically if you're the first person to get their ear they'll run their story with your angle.

[FuzzieAlum]

Trying to get the local press to cover a local Greek story? Don't just tell the media you're having an event. Spin it as the first of its kind around there, the biggest one yet, or related to a timely problem (like raising Red Cross money after Sept. 11 would have been). Or sell something as a trend - if GLO membership is increasing on your campus, that's a story. If rush is just happening again, it's not.

The media wants an invite beforehand, so they can get live quotes and photos/footage. So you have to sell your philanthropy, for example, to them before you know 100% it will be the biggest ever. Have one person responsible to contact them, and make sure they can do follow-up and be available.

The harder problem is these national stories. Obviously, when something tragic happens, that will be bad press. But the other stuff - who knew that U-Wire would do a story on famous Greeks (and get it so wrong)? You never know when, say, Newsweek will run a piece on hazing or drinking among college kids. And if you, your chapter president from Small College, write and say, "Please cover the positive side of Greek life," they don't care.

There needs to be consistent, positive press releases from groups like Panhel, Pan-Hel, IFC, college Greek life offices, and national orgs. I'm not seeing enough of this, although to these groups' credit, it's not like they have a ton of money or spare time!

The other group that can influence coverage, esp. in the written media, is freelance writers. There are lots of ways to get good Greek stories into pubs:
-For an Indiana regional magazine: Why are so many GLOS HQed in Indianapolis?
-For a story on convention facilities: You're gonna have to mention some conventions, so why not work in a mention of a Greek one?
-For a profile: If someone's Greek affiliation really influenced them, give it a mention. (Esp. great for businessmen, who are often Greek)

I could spit out some more ideas, but maybe I'll become a freelance writer and save them for myself.

And one thing all of us can do: Wear your badge to work sometimes, and in pictures! Especially if you're older, and not fresh out of college, and your picture is being taken for professional purposes. (If you're fresh out of school they may think you're just holding on to college ties.)

There's one more thing we can all do - when we see an article like that U-Wire one, and we can refute it with facts, or when we see an offensive Snapple commercial - use the power of your pen to write a classy, tasteful complaint letter.

[AlphaChiGirl]

I think a lot of the negative press about Greeks stems from perceived elitism. Let's remember how small a contingent Greeks are. For the most part, fraternity/sorority membership is limited to those who are currently in or have graduated from a four-year college. Then, it's limited to those who can PAY for it (be in denial if you want). In turn, this is a pretty small portion of the general population, and when you add the stereotypes, it makes a perfect target for criticism.

[UNFSigmaChi]

Our chapter did something of a practical joke to a local TV station to teach them we aren't just about partying all the time. A few weeks prior they had come onto our house property in the early hours of the morning and filmed some trashcans that were filled up with beer bottles and cans for an expo on frat parties. We were pretty pissed cause they came onto our property without permission and after the first airing our HQ called their station and threatened legal intervention if they aired it again....we never saw it again. Anyways we had a kids fest event on campus and were all wearing letters and called the local station and placed an anynomous tip that there was a campus "frat party" going on and they annonced during the broadcast that UNF frat boys were partying and would bring live coverage...well when they got there and started filming it was of about 35-40 sigs playing basketball, baseball and football with underprivilaged children. The anchor did live feed for like 10 sec and said sorry folks seems like we recieved some bad information, looks like they are just playing with a bunch of children from the YCC. hahahaha it was so sweet seeing their depressed faces when they realiezed there was no party. We got some good pr for about 10 sec and its the only time anyone from UNF greek community has been on our local TV for doing something good.

[Pi Kapp 142]

OMG! THat is so freaking awesome! What a great trick to play on the media! My mom and I laughed our butts on that one.