Facts are facts, except when they aren't

It has not been a good run for journalism.  From the open cheerleading of the '08 and '10 electoral campaigns to the trading in speculation that has marked the Cam Newton "story", the profession continues to be its own worst enemy.  As a former reporter - not a journalist, not a commentator, not a pundit (though I did have the chance to be one of those - it is troublesome to see such a casual disregard of the basics of the profession.  Stories require facts, usually supplied either by documentation or on-the-record interviews.  Maybe the most valuable lesson that any J-school can teach students today is that a reporter can only burn a source one time.  After that, the source will never talk to you again, will discourage others from doing so, and will let anyone within shouting distance know of your unscrupulousness. 

A generation ago, Reagan-era Transportation Secretary Raymond Donovan asked where he could go to reclaim his reputation after being acquitted of some very shaky charges.  The question seems a quaint relic from different time when pesky little things like facts were considered staples of journalism.  It may be that Newton will be come the Shoeless Joe Jackson of his generation but, thus far, there is not a shred of evidence, a trade of data, or a single person going on the record to accuse of him of anything.  Not. One. Thing.

To keep the story alive, the narrative has relied on a combination of second- and third-hand allegations from shady characters and un-named sources who offer nothing to back up their stories, and internal navel-gazing and canibalism over the state of the profession.  A few writers have taken shots at other writers which will last until the next round of allegations is launched so another batch of Heisman voters can self-righteously wax about wanting to avoid another Reggie Bush.

The voters' role is not elect the good citizen of the week, mister congeniality, or a public official; it's to choose the most outstanding college football player in the country and I do not hear any debate over who that is.  And, the writers who chastise colleagues do so only after inserting some version of "if this turns out to be true" into their stories.  Well, if the allegations are proven true, so be it.   Cam will suffer, and it appears that Mississippi State will, too.  Auburn appears in the clear all the way around save for wins that would have to be vacated in the case of a negative finding.  We are a long way from such a finding, however; in fact, we are a long way from anything of substance. 

The 24-hour media monster is aided and abeted by a public that demands to know everything about everyone, five minutes ago.  That leads to sloppy reporting, rumor passed as fact, and an over-reliance on sources who may have axes to grind or are looking to cover their own hides.  It's not pretty and if the industry does not take serious efforts to get its house in order, the next generation's Raymond Donovan is just an allegation away.