In the last edition of the Stampede an article ran telling the details of an accident between two Milligan students Aug. 22. This article covered an extremely sensitive and delicate matter, which was listed on the police report and is public record in Johnson City.
This article would not have been published without much consideration and discussion among the editors of the Stampede, as well as faculty and those involved in the accident. As editors, we made the decision to hold the entire paper one day to ensure that all sides of the story had been covered and explored.
Since the accident was already common knowledge, the Stampede wanted to seek out any new information and shed light on the cause of the accident. In order to do so, the reporter on the story spoke with Andrew Baxter on two separate occasions, as well as Mark Fox, Nathan Flora, Leslie Glover, Bruce Montgomery, several police department members, a member of the drug task force and hospital officials before beginning the story. All editors met together, as well as with our faculty advisor before making any decisions about the story.
No adverse consequences were intended when the story ran, however, we apologize for any unnecessary pain it may have caused. The decision to run the story was one made with extreme care and prayer on the parts of all parties involved.
Though we considered possible consequences before running the story, we felt that the Milligan community, including students, faculty, staff and administration, deserved to know the truth and the whole story behind such a tragic happening. Since all parties involved were given the chance to comment and the editors felt they were fully aware of what information would and would not be used in the story we decided to run the new information.
As journalists and Christians one of our first jobs is to seek out the truth and to help others be accountable for their actions. By publishing this article we, as editors, sought the truth to the best of our abilities. The Stampede will continue its commitment to this idea and intends to present fair and balanced stories.
Andrew Baxter and his family were offered the opportunity to respond in print to the article published in the last edition, but declined.