As more facts about the lawsuit filed by two families against Vashon Island School District are made public, the accompanying commentary on social media seems to gain fervor and anger.

On all sides of the debate, from islanders on the side of the district, the side of the families, those agreeing with The Beachcomber’s coverage and those who feel it has been unfair, anger is a common thread that makes conversation and the ability to be reasonable difficult, if not impossible. When it was first publicized that a lawsuit had been filed, The Beachcomber editorial called for patience and restraint as the case plays out. Those pleas still hold true, as the human beings at the heart of the case are two young girls trying to make their way through already tumultuous teenage years.

Recently, islanders on social media are not only questioning and attacking the defendants and plaintiffs, but have begun questioning The Beachcomber’s reporting of the case as well, specifically criticizing the media for not printing a press release from the plaintiffs’ lawyer — sent to islanders days after The Beachcomber’s first story about the case on April 27.

While this newspaper appreciates community feedback and asks for islanders to keep it honest and accountable for its coverage, newspapers do not run press releases because they inherently serve the interests of the party that issues them. The press release in question also did not contain new information and was sent after the story was published. The Beachcomber, like any other newspaper, reports new information. If the release contained new information, reporters would have investigated and worked on crafting a balanced story given the information that was provided.

The Beachomber’s initial story was written after analyzing nearly 25 pages of legal documents — the complaint for damages — obtained from the federal court. The press release sent to islanders via a mass email list was a summarization of the facts stated in the complaint.

With lawyers and the American judicial system now involved, the process is bound to be long and, at times, confusing. This newspaper will continue to provide updates on the case as new information is discovered. Until then, the staff will continue to urge the public to exercise restraint, as Vashon is a small island and the children involved are not the ones who filed the suit.