This was posted by KIRO 7 reporter Gary Horcher on his Facebook page while covering Autumn Veatch, the 16-year-old who survived plane crash in rural Washington:
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Few stories I will ever share will even approach the breathtaking inspirational "awe" of 16-year-old plane crash survivor/mountain trekker Autumn Veatch.
As you watch the coverage, here are a couple of thoughts to ponder:
Consider the trauma of an airplane slamming into a mountain peak; suddenly losing two people you deeply cherish, while crawling out of the burning wreckage that killed them, and then force yourself to swallow your teenage vulnerabilities--your insecurities, shrugging off physical pain--while descending a forbidding rocky treacherous slope, hoping someone would help you before you dropped from dehydration.
As Autumn Veatch waited for an ambulance in the Mazama General Store, I promise you the thought "I'm gonna be a media superstar!" never crossed her mind.
And yet, within the next six hours, her story viralized into click-bait around the globe. I was one of many reporters working to confirm what seemed impossible to believe.
I'm the guy in the photo with my microphone extended, capturing her father's thoughts and musings at a tiny hospital in Brewster, Washington.
I was joined by representatives from the three "major networks," all hoping to get Autumn's thoughts, exclusively.
While I was talking to Autumn's father David, who is an affable, bighearted gentleman, he was offered a hotel room by one network reps, then by another.
David was eager to share Autumn's story, yet he seemed hesitant to accept the gifts, which had "exclusive" strings attached.
The next day, I was told networks offered Autumn's family food (which they accepted) transportation and more.
I'm a local reporter, and the currency I trade is built on relationships--on trust--on belief that I'm their advocate. I've never offered anything more in exchange for information, or an interview.
In a 2011 Columbia Journalism Review article, this thought was shared:
"Paying for information is, among American journalists, generally regarded as falling in the same moral category as paying for sex. True reporters get their information cleanly and by the sweat of their brow, not by waving around soiled Andrew Jacksons."
But from the network point of view, David and Autumn's story seemed up for grabs to the highest bidder. One network rep told me it's not unusual for people to be offered first-class plane tickets to New York, four-star lodging, Broadway shows, "everything, really, except clothes," they said.
The CBS representative told me they are not allowed to lure people with favors and food. Not every network does it.
While offers were considered and lures cast, Autumn and her family quietly slipped out a back door of the hospital (Tuesday night).
I understand David grew tired of the offers, and instead accepted the option of driving his ailing daughter home to Bellingham, with a police escort to keep everyone away.
I wonder if it would have ever have gotten to that point, if everyone working to share Autumn's amazing story played by the same rules.
KIRO
