Sharing information as we gather it

Add comment July 22nd, 2008

Yesterday, we published several updates on two stories: the Winnebago father and son who died in a farm accident and the Joseph Boomer trial coverage. Both were the most-viewed items on our site yesterday. They continue to drive traffic — and community conversation — today.

Both of these stories also are filled with human emotion. We journalists do our best to respect the families and friends affected when we’re covering stories like these.

I read comments on the farm accident story today, and one person thought we shouldn’t have posted any information until we had news.

We first told readers on rrstar.com around 3:30 p.m. when the coroner was on her way to the farm. The 911 call came about two hours earlier. We updated the story as we gathered more information. One of the updates confirmed how the father and son — died. Another update added context on the type of accident. Much later, we told you their names — Michael and Kyle Mitchell.

We try to share information with the public as we have it. That means we check that information and release it as we have it confirmed by sources. It’s not always black and white. This tragedy has affected a tight-knit community.

It was evident in this quote from the Rev. Steve Shullanberger of Winnebago First Presbyterian Church, who served as the family’s spokesman: “I’ve been blessed to know the Mitchell family for about 12 years. They’ve been a part of the church since before I was born, some 60 years. They’ve been dairymen for many, many years. They’re not just respected locally, but regionally. They’d give you the shirt off their backs to help you out.”

Today, we’re talking to community members who will help the Mitchell family run their farm as they cope with their loss.