How far is too far?

On November 8 a tweet went out from NWA sports reporter Jimmy Carter stating that he found the Wildcat Marching Band to be more to his tastes than the Bulldog Marching Band… though the tweet was not worded so diplomatically.

“One thing’s for sure, the Har-Ber band is > Springdale’s.  And maybe Arkansas’.”

It’s no surprise that this tweet elicited some angered responses from Bulldog parents.  Carter usually gives reports of what goes on during Springdale High School’s football games, and many Bulldog parents rely on him for information on the games.

To say that a reporter is not entitled to his own opinion would be wrong, but it would also be wrong to say that it’s perfectly okay for a sports reporter to use his position as a factual informer to voice his opinion – especially during a cross-town rival game, when tensions are already high enough.

The problem not only lies within a reporter stating his or her opinion, but also within the way said opinion is worded.  Carter relayed his opinion as though it were a solid fact by saying “one thing’s for sure.”  Not only is that a pretentious statement, but a fallacy as well.  A comparison involving personal tastes is never “for sure” for everyone, and as an individual who uses words to relay information for a living, Carter should know to mind his words.

Lack of diplomacy and discipline in a reporter is a huge problem.  A reporter is relied on to bring straight facts and statistics such as sports scores or stock prices.  An informational reporter whose information is jaded by an opinion discredits him/herself when they fail to cover their own biases.

Reporters are entitled to their own opinions, just like any other human being.  That does not make it okay, however, for said reporter to use their position as a factual informer to give a signal boost for their opinion.  And when that reporter states that their opinion is “for sure?”

Well, I don’t blame most of his previous subscribers for cancelling their subscriptions the following day.