School bullying story needed more work

纪事先驱报周六刊登的文章已经引起了许多读者，尤其是来自网络的读者的愤怒。

它是基于两个家长的有关一些最近才与其难民家庭一起来加的难民儿童对其它同学的身体欺凌和威胁行为的指控。

Chebucto Heights小学援引了该文章。该校在最近几个星期涌入了许多新学生。

这个故事引述了两个母亲的话，但是怕对他们或他们的子女报复，他们不要披露他们的名字。第三个人是一位祖父母，接受了记者采访，并有类似的担忧。

文章发表以来，另一个家庭已经联系我们，提供了一个类似的投诉。

欺凌是一个敏感的话题，对于整合到这里的新人也是一样的，尤其是那些面临挑战，甚至受过创伤的人。

鉴于指控的严重性，我们的故事是不完整的和未充分证实的。

The Chronicle Herald published a story Saturday that has drawn the wrath of many of our readers, particularly online.

It was based on two parents’ allegations of physical bullying and threatening behaviour by some of the children who recently arrived with refugee families.

The school cited in the article, Chebucto Heights Elementary, has had an influx of new students in recent weeks.

The story quoted two mothers who didn’t want their names used for fear of reprisals against them or their children. A third person, a grandparent, was interviewed and had similar concerns.

Since the article ran, another family has contacted us with a similar complaint.

Bullying is a sensitive subject. So is the integration of newcomers, particularly those who have faced challenges, even trauma, on their way here.

Our story was incomplete and insufficiently corroborated, given the serious nature of the allegations.

Readers also rightly pointed out that the headline ‘Parents worried over school kids’ brutality’ was unfortunate. Using the word brutality to describe children, particularly of an identifiable cultural group, is problematic.

Reaction to the story was all over the map, from thoughtful to downright scary.

Many journalists called publishing the story irresponsible. Some parents weighed in on social media on the need for better discipline and more supports to help newcomers in our schools.

Appallingly, anti-Muslim groups with words like ‘crusade’ and ‘jihad’ in their names started sharing the article.

We pulled it from our website.

Since then, some readers have contacted us to object to the article’s removal.

Our concern is about more than reaction.

Social media is not a great place for the cautious, well-considered examination of problems. A newspaper ought to be. We should have done better and we will.

We’ll start by asking more questions and getting more answers.

We will also run letters and commentary. Please email us at letters@herald.ca.