Sometimes the best reporting is no reporting.

All Things Longhorn was perhaps as appropriate a name for this blog as any prior to its facelift and well-received transition to the SB Nation.  For people who no longer walk the 40 Acres but desire to keep a finger on the pulse of the campus and its athletics, Burnt Orange Nation has proven to be a remarkable outlet and source of information.  Similarly, for anyone simply seeking to cheer on the 'Horns or, to the contrary, engage Burnt Orange fans in some healthy trash-talking and beating of the chests, this site has proven to be an open forum with few filters imposed by the site's authors.

But now they are being criticized by some for what they aren't saying.

The authors are handling the current "scandal" appropriately.  Very few know for a fact what occurred on the two occasions in question.  Responsible reporting involves education, not mere speculation.  All too often we see self-proclaimed "journalists" report mere hearsay in hopes to bask in glory if the story in fact proves to bear some semblance of truth.  Such publishing of information for self-benefit has a price, almost always in turn at the expense of others.  

BON has never held itself out to be UT's Entertainment Tonight or the National Enquirer, drawing in its audience with promises of the latest possible gossip. Instead the site has proven to be a source for the accumulation of research and discussion.  For those who have yet to take notice, BON has gained a significant readership over the past year, from which there can be many benefits.  But BON is no doubt acutely aware that a large audience can also have its consequences, especially if one is to engage in irresponsible reporting.

Right now, two Texas student-athletes (Cedric and Ramonce) have been identified by their attorney as being involved in an investigation by the Austin Police Department and District Attorney, pertaining to events that were purported to have taken place on December 10th, following the Longhorn's end-of-season banquet.  There is a reason why no arrests have been made.  The purpose of the investigation is to gather facts, and there is a reason why certain blogs reporting to know the "inside scoop" are not a part of this fact-finding process.  (see: FACT-finding)

Like BON, InsideUSC.com has its merits and knows its audience.  But be cautious when reading about "sources familiar with the investigation" if those sources are not named nor an explanation given as to why such sources must remain anonymous.  This is certainly the case when the publication or website appears more than happy to otherwise name-drop other sources when given the opportunity in hopes of gaining credibility.  If these sources are "familiar with the investigation," why have they not distinguished the altercation on December 10th from the reported assault on September 4 and detailed what happened or at least what the specific accusations (physical contact and a demand for five dollars) are?  Why have these exclusive sources failed to mention that neither of the students whose pictures you have posted are being investigated currently for the aggravated assault involving a semi-automatic handgun?...certainly the more egregious of the two accusations.

An excerpt from the Austin paper is imbedded in the story reported by InsideUSC.  The final line of which reads: "Due to the fact that these cases are still being investigated, APD cannot provide additional information."  Well, isn't that why we have come to your site?  You have sources close to the investigation!  So please, tell us what happened.  Stop teasing us.  Enlighten us.  Don't make us wait for others to report the facts, and heaven forbid we hear others report the facts before you can hear them report the facts and then make it your own exclusive.  You should be able to beat them to the punch.  After all, you don't just have one source, you have sources.

The BON authors have appropriately avoided what could amount to irresponsible and defamatory behavior during an uncertain investigation process.  The two confirmed students are among several investigated for two separate and unrelated incidents.  Remember, simply because they are in the spotlight as athletes, accusations of criminal activity and widespread rumors of such are not a realistic price they should expect to pay.  

Some readers have claimed distaste for BON's posting of photos taken of Matt Leinart, comparing BON's actions to those of InsideUSC.  While numerous sites included accusations of groping and Leinart subsequently being slapped, no such "facts" nor "sources familiar with the groping" were reported by BON.  Additionally, the photos were posted with disclaimers of "gossip" and "can't verify."  

There is a reason why BON has not rushed stories regarding these criminal incidents on to its front page.  For the same reason, BON does not hold itself out to be "InsideUT."  

If you want to criticize our authors, ask why they have failed to correct InsideUSC's assertion that Cedric Griffin returned a punt for a score against A&M.  After all, sources familiar with the game know it was a blocked punt scooped up and taken in.  (And that's about the only Texas scoop.)

Sometimes the best reporting is no reporting.