Protesters abuse media

Mac Young, who wrote the letter, “Pro-protester bias” (BDN, April 29), takes the Bangor Daily News to task for giving too much coverage to protesters at President Bush’s recent visit to Maine. I generally agree with his criticism. The thrust of my criticism is that the BDN and especially television are letting themselves be used and abused by protesters. Protesters grossly abuse TV coverage.

If you have ever covered an event in which there is confrontation and protest – and I have covered many in 30 years of newspaper experience – you will see the protesters with their signs standing quietly in a group until they see the TV cameras and lights turn on. Then they go wild with their chanting and sign waving. When the camera lights go off they return to their quiet little groups.

Most media give far too much space in their news columns to the protester making them, in effect, the center or thrust of the news coverage. Mac Young was correct when he asked, “Whatever happened to journalistic integrity and ethics?” Readers deserve a response from the paper’s editor.

John Jay Hanlon

Brewer