UO (Univ of Oregon) Student Paper Gets Heat for Pursuing Tip, Not Calling Police

[The Straight Story]

UO Student Paper Gets Heat for Pursuing Tip, Not Calling Police


The Oregon Daily Emerald is getting some criticism on its website for not calling police when it got an anonymous tip about a plan to vandalize the Eugene home of the Oregon University System Chancellor this weekend.

Early Sunday morning, George Pernsteiner's official residence in a tony Eugene neighborhood got pelted with eggs and spray painted with "The Hat". The Emerald reported it was done in solidarity with ousted University of Oregon president Richard Lariviere, who often wears a fedora. The State Board of Higher Education last week informed Lariviere it was not renewing his contract.

Tyree Harris is editor of the Oregon Daily Emerald. He says the news room got a tip during the Civil War Game Saturday. He says he did have an ethical discussion with his reporter and photographer.

...

Tyree chose not to contact the police. He says it would have been different if there was an imminent threat to the safety of the chancellor or others.

http://klcc.org/Feature.asp?FeatureID=2916