Fraternity Takes Action Against "Rolling Stone" in Journalistic Failure
On Monday, April 6th, a spokesperson from the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house announced that the fraternity would be taking all possible legal actions against Rolling Stone magazine because of an article that was entirely fabricated, published by Sabrina Erdely, in November 2014. Before Erdely wrote the article, she started her process, as any other journalist would do, beginning with an idea. She wanted to write an article that would teach its readers about the new kind of rape culture present on college campuses. Therefore, she called Emily Renda, a rape survivor, who writes for the University of Virginia journalism department.
During their call, Renda told Erdely the story of someone she had worked quite closely with, a student named Jackie, who had been allegedly sexually assaulted by seven male students in the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity at UVA. Erdely contacted Jackie in July 2014, and Jackie proceeded to recount the alleged incident without leaving out a single gruesome detail. In her story, she included how she ended up at the frat house, attending her first ever fraternity party. She had been invited to the party by a lifeguard that she knew who worked in the university’s aquatic center. According to Jackie, it was he who lured her into a dark bedroom in the house. Shortly after, the terrible episode ensued.
When Erdely corresponded with Jackie, Jackie always included so many intricate details that Erdely was convinced the story must have been true. However, Jackie refused to give the name of the lifeguard who invited her to the party because she claimed to be afraid of him, which caused Erdely to worry slightly. Eventually, Erdely got Jackie to give her a name, but it was just that; a name. There was no person that they could find who was ever connected to Jackie with the name she gave. As time went on, it became clear to Erdely that details were not adding up; people had doubts and they were making them known.
After realizing that facts were not checked correctly and the story was not even true, Rolling Stone retracted the article. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done. Because of this false article, the idea that women make up rape allegations came to life, the reputation of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity was nearly destroyed and the University of Virginia as a whole took a hit as the administration was now seen as “neglectful.” This article was seen by many as an example of clearly failed journalism; none of the basic journalistic practices were performed. Journalists everywhere are concerned that this fallout might cause other journalists to shy away from rape cases on school campuses.
The Phi Kappa Psi fraternity has hired a lawyer, and while they do not know if their case has a foundation to stand on, they are willing to try nearly anything.
