Closing the book on openness

WITHHOLDING FACTS to maintain privacy often backfires.

Take the case of a Peabody teacher accused of inappropriate behavior. It could be something as simple as not using a student’s preferred pronouns, but our minds naturally skip straight to the worst possibility — inappropriate sexual relations with a minor.

No one is arguing that the names of the accused or his or her supposed victims should be released, especially while an investigation remains pending. But at least some indication of the scope of the investigation — the general nature of the inappropriate behavior alleged — would help quell an already blazing set of rumors.

It’s quite possible to share information without embarrassing or defaming anyone. Failing to do so merely stokes the fire of rumor mills and increases the likelihood of their causing damage that will be difficult or impossible to undo.

— Eric Meyer