Embellished headline

By JANE WILSON, Loxton North

IN REFERENCE to the police report headed 'Teen bashed at fundraiser' in a recent edition of The Murray Pioneer (30/3/10), I would like to express my disappointment in your reporting of the incident.

Having seen a copy of the police report firsthand, I know that the so-called assault was described as “alleged” in the report and the term “bashed” was not used.
Loxton North Primary School experienced one of its most successful Harvest Festivals last Friday night. We had perfect weather and a fantastic crowd.
There was a huge feeling of school pride as our little school community pulled together to make the night something for everybody to remember.
Well, remember it we will, but not for the right reasons.
Due to the negative publicity over the last few days, the public has been led to believe that a 15-year-old was “bashed” at  our school.
Yes, the youth injured his ankle, but there was no “bashing”. Your embellished headline has added fuel to the fire thus blemishing our school’s reputation.
I understand that it makes good reading to use colourful words in the media but perhaps you should exercise better judgement before exaggerating incidents in print.
Your report did say that “police are continuing investigations”.
Let’s hope that the truth does come out so that the reputation of our beautiful little school is sullied no further.