Tonight’s work will be focused on investigative journalism.We first started at snapnetwork.org (Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests). Now looking at SPOTLIGHT documentary.
Globe wrote many stories of sexual abuse by priests and cover-up of those offenses. Interesting by-line with many authors showing greater credibility of sources?
The Boston Globe won a Pulitzer Prize in 2003 for the comprehensive coverage of the sexual abuse by priests.
How did the mass stories of pedophile priests come to the attention of the Boston Globe and other media outlets. In 1993, an editor called Walter Robinson received information about 20 pedophile priests. At that time, he was the metro editor. He did not follow-up on the tips. In 2001, a new editor, Marty Baron took the tips seriously. He being a new editor with a controversial story caused disruption to the culture at the Globe.
Lawyer Mitchell Garabedian says he has proof that a Boston priest molested 80 kids and was moved around. This was written about in a column. Then, other media outlets started posting and digging deeper into the story.
“We knew we had something special, but we didn’t know why.” – 92Y Spotlight team
On several occasions, media outlets were sent names by insiders of lawyers, reports, editor, victims, etc.
Pay attention to relationship between a seemingly lawyer and the relationship he develops with a reporter. It starts with a great deal of distrust of the lawyer and builds as the story goes. The lawyer becomes an enabler to the reporter. There is a fine line between which documents are public and which documents are sealed.
Editor was told 60% of readership was Catholic, and that he may lose readers by writing on this topic. The question of whether loyalty is to public interest and trust.
600 total stories published. 249 priests accused. Over 1000 survivors.
Quotes to illustrated relationship between journalist, reporters,
The road to…
Boston 1976…
Aneila – “The culture is there – of concealment”
July 2001 Boston Globe…
“I don’t think the story’s for us. It’s just not spotlight.”
Spotlight is a four person investigative team.
“From what I understand, readership is down, and the internet is taking the place of the printed newspaper business.” Marty Baron
Anelia – “Absorbing your environment as the truth can be counter productive to your truth.” “Those are comments for journalism and for your life.”
Anelia ” The publisher has to gauge the price of truth telling”
“When you’re a poor kid from a poor family, church means a lot.”
“It’s very confusing, to be introduced to sex like that, and to be attracted to men.” The guy the girl was interviewing
“He did go public, but the church made a huge effort to silence him.”
Lawyer Garridno- “That;s why I never got married. What I do is too important.”
“We need to focus on the institutions and not the priests. Show me this is systemic…that it came from the top down.” – Barron
There was a lot of pressure to eep quite. Not just from the church, but from my friends, and the other perrishioners.”
“Check the docket, you’ll see. theyre not there. The Catholic Church controls everything.” Garrdino
Shasha “It’s like everybody already knows the story.””Yeah except us.” Robby
Robby” Is this how it happens…A guy leans on a guy and then they both look the other way.” talking to his friend Pete who was trying to guilt trip him into not running the story
Do you see the importance of having voice from the other side.” Anelia
You have to look at the bigger picture, the institutional picture
Journalism & Law 
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