Bad press?

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by WesternAlumn

I just read an article in my local newspaper about a GLO. Unfortunately, it was not a favourable story. Any suggestions as to help a GLO and / or the Greek community overcome bad press and possible negative attitudes of the local community?

The media jumps on the stereotypes about Greeks as alcoholic, sex-crazed deviants. That won't change, especially with the excess of binge drinking that goes on in colleges-- they single out fraternity parties. And they single out fraternities (and sororities) because fraternities are esoteric organizations and non-members are absurdly curious as to what goes on behind closed doors. And when isolated hazing incidents occur, additional media speculation and public scrutiny occur.

To overcome bad attidues and bad press, you need to lead by example. Demand academic excellence from your members, treat your members with respect and as adults (read: no hazing), hold events for the community at large that benefits the community and area charities. Hold networking events with alumni (Greek and non Greek), and honor your professors at a special reception. Simply doing the right thing and telling others about it, as well as including them in your organization through special receptions and events will go a long way in shaping public perception.

[PhoenixAzul]

< journalist >

If something in the story was outright WRONG or inaccurate, please write the editor of that section a (polite) letter explaining the mistake, editors DO print corrections. If it is a style error (example, calling certain sororities a sorority rather than women's fraternities), they keep those things on file for future notice.

However, if the story was just not favourable (example: reporting on hazing)...you're sorta stuck. If it is accurate, it is not really the paper that is at fault, it is the GLO.

Now if this was an opinion piece, you have every right to go ahead and fire off a letter to the editor, and you probably should. Again, if it is well thought out, well written, and makes a point, it will have great impact. Name calling and what have you will only reinforce the stereotype.

Now, on the larger scale of things, to combat bad media image, you've got to stop looking at the media as the enemy. They can be a great tool for your chapter. If you've got a PR chair (or whatever you call it), have them send the local weekly and daily publication press releases on a regular basis about your events. Papers get a TON of stories just from the press releases sent by PR reps, and they are always looking for community stories. Plus, it might bring in more people to your events! If all they see is a PR report about XYZ chairity events coming across their desk every couple of weeks, their opinion is likely to be changed to the better.

Just some thoughts.

[Tom Earp]

Excellent points!

[adpiucf]

I am a former member of the media myself. You know as well as I do that a story about a tragic death (regardless of it being attached to Greek Life) is going to interest your readership and your editor much more than the fraternity bake sale.

Blueangel, you said, "The news stories about hazing incidents occur because the media regularly reads police reports! If you don't want bad press about your fraternity or sorority, don't break the law."

I am in complete agreement with you. The media reports what happens. They also choose what to report. There is nothing wrong with this. What is the "So What" angle on a fraternity bake sale? I'm a bit tired of people whining that the media portrays Greeks negatively. They are reporting what has actually happened. But there is an inherent bias in writing and reporting. We write and publish what we think will be read, talked about and what will sell.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

I am a former member of the media myself. You know as well as I do that a story about a tragic death (regardless of it being attached to Greek Life) is going to interest your readership and your editor much more than the fraternity bake sale.

Blueangel, you said, "The news stories about hazing incidents occur because the media regularly reads police reports! If you don't want bad press about your fraternity or sorority, don't break the law."

I am in complete agreement with you. The media reports what happens. They also choose what to report. There is nothing wrong with this. What is the "So What" angle on a fraternity bake sale? I'm a bit tired of people whining that the media portrays Greeks negatively. They are reporting what has actually happened. But there is an inherent bias in writing and reporting. We write and publish what we think will be read, talked about and what will sell.

(another former member of the media here - 5 years reporting and a B.S. in Journalism)

These are all good points. Reporters (and more importantly, editors), are going to publish the stories that people want to read. A hazing death or anything that involves the police will get more inches on a page than, as adpiucf said, a bake sale or most philanthropy events. Unfortunately, bombarding papers with press releases isn't always going to work, either. It's not always going to balance out the way it should.

It's not fair to the Greek system, but that's the way journalism works. If your org has done something big (raised a lot of money, done something great working with children, etc.), then by all means get the word out about it. However, also be ready for the fact that the bad news is still going to get published, for the reasons outlined (reading police reports, etc.).

This doesn't mean that the media only wants bad news. It means it wants to publish the news that will affect the greatest number of people in some way, and thus get the readers.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

(another former member of the media here - 5 years reporting and a B.S. in Journalism)

These are all good points. Reporters (and more importantly, editors), are going to publish the stories that people want to read. A hazing death or anything that involves the police will get more inches on a page than, as adpiucf said, a bake sale or most philanthropy events. Unfortunately, bombarding papers with press releases isn't always going to work, either. It's not always going to balance out the way it should.

It's not fair to the Greek system, but that's the way journalism works. If your org has done something big (raised a lot of money, done something great working with children, etc.), then by all means get the word out about it. However, also be ready for the fact that the bad news is still going to get published, for the reasons outlined (reading police reports, etc.).

This doesn't mean that the media only wants bad news. It means it wants to publish the news that will affect the greatest number of people in some way, and thus get the readers.

That is what is so sad though is that the public would rather see and wail about bad news than see good news and feel good.

Because of the noterity l of what Greeks do, We are always targets and it is called stupidity on Our parts isnt it?

We are a supposed elite group fo persons and then do totally stupid things that make the news and it reflects upon all of us.

[valkyrie]

Can someone with media experience explain how a story about a lacrosse team's bad experience renting a house is newsworthy?

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

Can someone with media experience explain how a story about a lacrosse team's bad experience renting a house is newsworthy?

No, but I can tell you how a story of a lacross team's bad experience renting something else is newsworthy.


Ok, she left it wide open...it had to be said.

[tunatartare]

wide open mind you

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

No, but I can tell you how a story of a lacross team's bad experience renting something else is newsworthy.


Ok, she left it wide open...it had to be said.

LMAO

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

Can someone with media experience explain how a story about a lacrosse team's bad experience renting a house is newsworthy?

Don't know, unless the team was a national team. Even then, I didn't think either of the stories were that well-written. It must have been an extremely slow news day.

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Don't know, unless the team was a national team. Even then, I didn't think either of the stories were that well-written. It must have been an extremely slow news day.

Exactly. So blueangel's statement "If you don't want bad press about your fraternity or sorority, don't break the law" isn't necessarily true, because someone somewhere will write a negative story about fraternities or sororities anyway -- as we see in the article here.

The story speaks more to the stupidity of the lacrosse team than anything else. If you rent a house you've never seen (in person or even a photo) expecting it to be a certain way because of what's in the movies, I can't imagine how anybody should be expected to give a rat's ass when you get a dump.

[RACooper]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

Can someone with media experience explain how a story about a lacrosse team's bad experience renting a house is newsworthy?

I guess you'd have to understand the mentality of the London Free Press... right picture a paper that disaproves of everything that doesn't go on in a seniors residence or that doesn't support a "traditional agenda" (think Norman Rockwell) and you essentially have the paper's thrust over the last decade and a half.

They have attacked pretty much everyone and everything that doesn't fit into their small little world of the Rockwellian painting - they don't bother to look any deeper than the surface, nor do they try to acknowledge that there might be other views or even realities... think of a paper run by Rumsfeld, with his "golly gees" and such as a journalistic medium,

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

We are a supposed elite group fo persons and then do totally stupid things that make the news and it reflects upon all of us.

Elite, no. Exclusive, yes. The majority of active members: ages 18-23. You do the math on the scale of stupid decision making that goes on outside the organization's guidelines.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

Elite, no. Exclusive, yes. The majority of active members: ages 18-23. You do the math on the scale of stupid decision making that goes on outside the organization's guidelines.

I stand Corrected!

But, I think You know what I ment!

I am not sure, but aren't most GLO Members, well except for The South more open to P Members?