Latest college story continues disturbing pattern

  EDITORIAL  

By Jim Keyworth
Gazette Blog Editor

Roundup Editor Pete Aleshire continues his barrage of shoddy journalism with the June 25 article "College Breaks Loose."

Responsible journalists never write one source stories - stories in which only a single person is quoted.  Aleshire does it all the time, in this particular instance building 95 percent of the story around comments by Rim Country Education Alliance Chairman Steve Drury,

Granted, Aleshire does include a 12-word semi-quote by RCEA Board member Jim Lyon and a mention of Tonto National Forest Supervisor Neil Bosworth.  But neither comes close to constituting a second source.

The problem with one source stories is that the source can say whatever he or she pleases without any fact checking.  Why didn't Aleshire call someone at ASU to see if that institution agrees with Drury's assessment of the situation?  Why didn't he talk to one of the investors who have supposedly pledged $400 million to the project?  Why didn't he check with the lodging chain supposedly interested in building a new hotel near the campus?

Because he didn't, we are left to contemplate a disturbing possibility.  In its ongoing quest to spew the party line, Drury provided everything the Roundup wanted to hear.

For the umpteenth time, we sincerely hope a 4-year college comes to the Rim Country.  But we sure wouldn't advise anybody to put any stock in what the Roundup has to say on the subject.