The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: SAVE Spotlights Media Coverage of Proposed Title IX Regulations, Nov. 17-25

Contact: Rebecca Stewart

Telephone: 513-479-3335

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: SAVE Spotlights Media Coverage of Proposed Title IX Regulations, Nov. 17-25

WASHINGTON / November 26, 2018 – In a continuing effort to promote balanced and fair media coverage of the recently proposed campus sexual assault regulations (1), SAVE has identified three articles published during the past week that reflect varying standards of journalistic rigor.

In the “Good” category, SAVE has selected “New Title IX Proposal Would Restore Fairness in Sexual-Misconduct Cases,” authored by Justin Dillon and published in the Chronicle for Higher Education (2). The author is sympathetic to the concerns of both parties. Regarding the needs of accusers, for example, he notes the new proposed rules would “return agency to the accuser. Mediation and restorative justice would be on equal footing with a full-blown Title IX investigation. Accusers could choose which form of resolution would most help them.”

In the “Bad” category, SAVE has identified “Betsy DeVos’ Sexual Assault Rules Would Let the Accused Cross-Examine Accusers,” written by Adam Harris and published in The Atlantic (3). The purpose of any adjudication system is to evaluate the veracity of an allegation, and it is widely recognized that cross-examination is one of the best methods for the ascertainment of truth. While Harris recognizes this fact, he inexplicably places higher priority on encouraging reporting than evaluating whether an accusation is true.

In the “Ugly” classification, SAVE has chosen “With New Title IX Rules, DeVos Sets up a Rigged Game,” penned by Anurima Bhargava and published at CNN (4). Bhargava is apparently unaware that identified victims of campus sexual assault have filed hundreds complaints alleging mistreatment by campus officials. In some cases, they have charged that campus officials’ mishandling of the case was more traumatic than the original sexual assault (5).

Bhargava cites the 2-10% false rape allegation statistic provided by an advocacy organization, ignoring a scholarly article that reported much higher numbers (6). By repeatedly questioning DeVos’ motives and using emotionally charged language (“rigged game”), Bhargava writes as a committed advocate, not as an objective observer.

In order to encourage high-quality reporting of the proposed Title IX regulation, SAVE will continue to identify articles that reflect standards of objectively, fairness, and accuracy, and will publicize articles that do not meet minimum journalistic standards.

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