|
|
(http://www.polygamyinfo.com/past_media%20plyg%2047%20trib.htm)
POLYGAMIST MEASLES OUTBREAK A TOUCHY SUBJECT FOR UTAH REPORTERS
Byline: By Mike Youngren
Reporters in Utah regularly find themselves
tripping over the hoop they're trying to jump
through.
Their religious roots can derail an honest
effort to provide the public with a clear and
accurate story.
For example: measles.
When reporters learned a month ago that
there was a minor outbreak of measles in
southwest Salt Lake County, the health
departments said all eight cases involved one
family.
Rumor had it the family was polygamist.
Later, during an interview, the new
City-County Health Director described the
family as ``fundamentalist Christians.'' (The
phrase ``beating around the bush'' and the word
``euphemism'' are closely related.)
TV and newspapers reported the measles
story but stayed away from describing the
family situation. I wonder what would have
happened if the disease had been confined to
the Utah Jazz or only to rich people. As the
outbreak spread, reporters found themselves
having to explain more details.
Officials were anxious those infected seemed
unconcerned about mixing with other people
and spreading the disease. When the number of
cases reached nearly 50, health authorities told
reporters they would answer any question
regarding the nature of the family circumstance.
It was still touchy for the reporters -- most of
whom didn't think the family relationship had
much to do with the story.
``They socialize together'' was KUTV's
solution.
``The group has family associations,'' KSL
reported.
The director of state immunization announced
a week ago that ``The victims all are
polygamists who refuse to get vaccinated.''
Now it appears the polygamist lifestyle
actually is keeping the disease contained.
The Salt Lake Tribune and KTVX used the
``P'' word about a week ago.
``The public interest was too great,'' says
Channel 4 executive producer Ken
Connaughton. ``You can't cover up the facts.''
Sure you can, Connaughton -- if everyone
uses the same euphemism and the public
understands when you say ``this'' you mean
``that.'' Before long a new language is created.
Polygamy in the western United States has
common origin. The Manifesto issued 104 years
ago by the LDS Church outlawed the practice
of plural marriage within the religion -- but it
didn't make polygamy go away.
Rick Spratling once had a desire to spend
some of KUTV's money and time on the
subject of polygamy. The award-winning
documentary producer and keen observer of
Utah ways believed there would be
standing-room-only interest. The general
manager and news director rejected the idea.
``I can't remember why,'' Spratling says.
``Maybe it was because of what they perceived
to be public values.''
Utah reporters regularly find themselves in
other cities covering murder and other
fundamentalist mayhem. The blood feud in the
Ervil LeBaron family drained station travel
budgets for nearly a decade. Local reporters in
San Diego, Denver and El Paso viewed their
Utah counterparts with glazed curiosity before
quickly returning to the simplicity of their own
crime stories.
I've spent many hours trying to explain Utah
to reporters from other galaxies. Sometimes I
deemed a fact unimportant. An NBC news
producer screwed up his face at me in the midst
of the John Singer standoff 16 years ago and
shouted, ``You mean he's married to more than
one woman -- too?''
``Oh yeah,'' I answered, ``didn't I tell you?''
Mike Youngren is a former television news
director who lives in Salt Lake City
Page Modified: May 18, 2005