NEWS RELEASE Gaylord College University of Oklahoma Communications Office 395 W. Lindsey Norman, OK 73019 DATE: September 13, 2012 CONTACT: McClain Stone Cell: 972-896-6612 Email: mcclain.stone@ou.edu FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OKLAHOMA DAILY NEWSPAPER UNDER FIRE, GAYLORD COLLEGE STANDS ITS GROUND AND IS NOT INVOLVED IN AUTOPSY ISSUE NORMAN, Okla., Sep. 13 – The University of Oklahoma student newspaper has removed a student’s autopsy report, on August 22, after receiving negative feedback from the community.
The Oklahoma Daily had been covering the story of Casey Cooke, 22, who fell to her death from a fire escape on campus this summer. An autopsy report was released in a follow up article. However, after many negative responses from students and staff, the Daily decided to remove the autopsy report due to graphic nature. The OU community demanded an apology from the newspaper. -more-
Autopsy Link Removed Due to Negative Feedback p. 2 of 2 Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication has come under fire for its teachings of journalism writing and ethics in the mass media. Gaylord College is not affiliated with The Daily. The journalism college takes pride in the classes it offers to future journalism professionals. Gaylord offers classes in writing for the mass media, which encourage the utmost integrity in journalism writing, encouraging ethical writing and even offering classes in media law.
The Daily had not weighed the impact and aftermath of posting such private information. The damage has been done; nonetheless The Daily is extremely sorry for any pain caused to Casey Cooke’s friends and family.
“In our haste to cover the breaking news, and because I was busy with my normal production duties, we sent out information without carefully thinking through our actions or their repercussions,” said Editor-in-Chief Laney Ellisor. The Daily posted an apology and removed the link right away.
Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication has a mission to educate students of public communication. The college thrives to instill the values of freedom of expression, diversity, critical thinking, social responsibility and most importantly ethics. For more information about Gaylord College please visit http://www.ou.edu/gaylord/home.html you may email the communications office at mcclain.stone@ou.edu, or call McClain Stone at 972-896-6612 ###