The ethical journalist and S-Town

This past summer, I became addicted to podcasts. I think that I may have blown right through season one of popular podcast Serial in four days. As a journalism student about to start at Cal State Long Beach, I was eager to listen to shows that held journalistic integrity. Serial, a love child of This American Life, delivers just that. After blowing through every recent episode of This American Life and both seasons of Serial, I decided to move on to their other spawn — Shit Town.
As I listened, narrator and reporter, Brian Reed thoughtfully laid out the foundation for a possible murder mystery in the town of Woodstock, Alabama. Reed received the possible murder tip from a resident of Woodstock, John B. McLemore.
I'll give you the very short version of a complex chain of events that led the listener from a murder case to a full on dramatized story of the people living within the so called "shit town." After McLemore committed suicide, the series took a very drastic turn. Basically, the problem I had with the story is that once Reed found there to be no murder mystery to solve, he became involved in the politics of the families and the colorful characters that shrouded McLemore's suicide and the estate he left behind. He then became, in my opinion, much too involved.
Let me tell you why. There comes a time when all reporters must decide — is it necessary to disclose this? Am I emotionally invested? Reed reached that crux just before delving into the McLemore's private life after he had already passed. Reed switched gears, telling a detailed report of McLemore's sexual escapades (which wasn’t previously disclosed.) He also read McLemore's suicide note aloud — to 10 million listeners. The final nail in the proverbial coffin for me was when he became involved with McLemore's young friend, Tyler Goodson who he had taken under his wing. Goodson, supposedly was verbally promised his late friend's estate. After telling Reed about the series of crimes he had committed to reclaim some of McLemore's belongings, the show became evidence. Goodson has now been charged with burglary and trespassing as a result of his actions and the show.

The bottom line is this: yes, it was a compelling story, and juicy nonetheless, but did it need to be told?


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