Apology sought from newspaper

The Diocese of Albany asked for an apology last week from the Albany Times Union and a New York City lawyer after the lawyer allowed a reporter to conceal his identity so he could sit in on a confidential meeting between an alleged abuse victim and a diocesan investigator.

Times Union reporter Andrew Tilghman entered the meeting with lawyer John Aretakis. Mr. Aretakis introduced the reporter only as "Andrew" and said he was a guest of the alleged victim. Mr. Aretakis then discussed the claims of the alleged victim.

Thomas Martin, a former senior investigator with the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation who is now working for the Albany Diocese, asked "Andrew" who he was and why he was there. Mr. Tilghman did not reveal his full name nor his affiliation with The Times Union, saying only he was "Andrew," a reporter.

After Mr. Tilghman agreed to leave the meeting, Mr. Aretakis identified him as Andrew Tilghman, a reporter for The Times Union. The incident occurred March 5 at the Albany County Court House.

The Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics urges journalists to "avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public."

"The Albany Diocese has the utmost respect for honest journalists who report on the problem of sexual abuse by clergy," said Rev. Kenneth J. Doyle, chancellor. "However, The Times Union violated the most fundamental standard of ethical conduct observed by most professional journalists -- the duty to identify oneself as a reporter and not to conceal one's identity. The Times Union has abandoned any pretense of objectivity and become an active collaborator with one lawyer to advance his point of view."

The Diocese said that it will no longer deal with Mr. Tilghman, Father Doyle said, but it will continue to cooperate with The Times Union if the newspaper publishes an apology for the incident.

"The Albany Diocese is deeply sorry for the trauma that victims of clergy sexual abuse and their families have suffered, and for the embarrassment that these incidents have caused all who love the Church," Father Doyle said. "We urge victims of sexual abuse by clergy to come forward immediately. We will investigate the allegations and punish any employee against whom an allegation of sexual abuse is substantiated. We will continue to do all we can to comfort and assist victims/survivors of sexual abuse. And we will continue to provide information to the public through the news media by working with responsible news organizations and reporters."

In an article in the March 7 issue of the Times Union, Rex Smith, editor, called the incident "a misunderstanding" and declined to apologize. Mr. Tilghman characterized his actions as "appropriate and professional."

(03/13/03) [[In-content Ad]]