Necessary to sue magazine over flawed reporting

Fraternity’s plan to sue Rolling Stone are completely justified

Olivia Sieff

Rape allegations, when publicly pursued, never fail to catch the eye of the media. However, when these allegations are false, reputations are irreparably damaged for victims and those accused.

The University of Virginia Phi Kappa Psi chapter announced plans to pursue any and all legal action against Rolling Stone magazine for false accusations of gang rape April 6. The chapter’s actions are justified.

After the publication of the article, the fraternity’s house was vandalized and received an infamous reputation across the UVA campus. Regardless of the fraternity’s innocence, the damage to its reputation and character cannot be undone, despite apologies given by Rolling Stone editors.

In addition, the fraternity spokesperson and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism believe the failure may discourage women from coming forth after sexual assault. Stephen Scipione, president of the UVA fraternity, said their chapter “[fears] this entire episode may prompt some victims to remain in the shadows, fearful to confront their attackers.”

Because of public criticisms toward this issue, women with real rape incidents may hesitate from coming forth.

It is not only necessary for the fraternity to sue the magazine for this reporting error, but also to bring to light the need for proper journalistic methods. Stories which are falsified or lack credible information, such as this one, tend to do more harm than good. In this case, more controversy started over whether women falsify rape incidents, rather than shedding light on rapes on college campuses.

The fraternity is completely justified in its plans to sue Rolling Stone because despite the publication of this story, the journalistic errors took a controversial topic and skewed it against an innocent group.

Fraternity distorts damage, belittles victim trauma

Garish legal action takes away from true social dilemma

Noa Raasch

Only an average of 68 percent of rapes will be reported to the authorities according to the Justice Department in 2012. Few rape survivors are willing to discuss their trauma with media.

Sabrina Erdely, the Rolling Stone writer responsible for the disputed article “A Rape on Campus,” is under criticism for failing to fact check her source, who cried alleged rape at a Phi Kappa Psi party.

An interview done by Steven Coll in the follow up article to “A Rape on Campus” quoted a UVA student, Alex Pinkleton, who said “It’s going to be more difficult now to engage some people because they have a preconceived notion that women lie about sexual assault.”

The fact Phi Kappa Psi decided to very publicly sue the magazine is useless.

Yes, if the fraternity wins the case they will receive money for the vandalism allegedly caused by the article but by throwing a fit over a declining reputation they are shadowing a much bigger and more important problem — rape and sexual assault.

The article states an apology to students and faculty from University of Virginia and members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. The original article’s purpose was not to tap the secrets of fraternities, but aimed to uncover the clandestine nature of sexual assault.

What is important for the fraternity and the rest of the UVA students to know is only 2 to 8 percent of rape claims are false, according to research done by the Violence Against Women organization. This single event should not demoralize all claims of sexual assault.

Phi Kappa Psi should recognize its unrealistic expectations for what good could come with suing the magazine and find a more productive way to solve problems for its fraternity chapter.