According to the State of the First Amendment survey, releasedby the First Amendment Center, 46 percent of Americans surveyed saythe press has too much freedom to do what it wants.
On Tuesday, The Star Press might have reinforced those people'sfears.
The paper reported a Michigan City man - who served a 40-yearprison sentence for murdering two children - told unnamedauthorities that he wanted to attend Ball State University. Duringhis incarceration, the article said, he attended classes providedby the university's prison-education program.
He was released on Sept. 18, but since, he has not applied toBall State. He has not even registered to live in Muncie, as hisparole stipulations dictate.
The Star Press article and other media reports are not entirelyirresponsible, but they are ill-timed and unnecessary. One of theroles of the press is to inform its readers, but in this case,revealing speculative information creates an unwarranted reaction.It is this kind of journalism that corroborates the sentiment ofthat 46 percent in the First Amendment Center's survey.
The media's announcement of the man's intent will likely leadthe Ball State and Muncie communities into outrage, speculation andfear, but a reason to do so does not yet exist. The convicted felonhas merely expressed his desire to apply to the university. He,like all potential students, will be required to disclose felonyconvictions on his application, which will be carefully reviewed bythe university's admissions committee before his admission isconsidered.
This, of course, will occur only if he does apply. At thispoint, he is nowhere near becoming a Ball State student.
Until the man officially begins the admissions process, therewill be no need for a report.
After all, the only stated "authority" that has revealed hisintent is his mother.
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