I fully expected to receive e-mails from readers after I reported the arrest of a veteran Sun photographer by police.
I even received phone calls Saturday, volunteering to testify as to what happened.
Some e-mail senders totally understood what the photojournalist was doing and why he disobeyed the cop, who told him to stop taking pictures, while others collectively condemned journalists all together.
A reader who only signed his name said that “photographers for news agencies don’t respect the patient, victim or innocent bystanders when they invade their privacy by using a telephoto lens without permission.”
He claims not to be a cop and a believer of free speech.
If the subject of a photograph is in a public place by his or her choice then the pics should be allowed, he said.
He also commended the cop for standing up for the people involved in the Friday incident.
And then said this:
“As usual, if a law allows something to be legal, people, including newspaper photographers, will abuse this right at the expense of others.”
I also received e-mails inquiring why I didn’t call what the police did to the photographer, an assault.
“He basically assaulted your photographer and you couldn’t call it by its name?” one phone caller asked.
I don’t know who these callers and e-mail writers are, but I think they represent the nameless readers who both hate and love what we do.
And since there’s that pre-conditioned opinion about what we do or even who we are, their perception can be automatically biased or slanted.
There are people who couldn’t thank journalists enough – and that includes photojournalist – for how their stories were kept in the public eyes.
There are those who’s condemnation can quickly muddy the conversation just like an instant coffee turns a hot water brown or dark quickly.
But no matter what people’s opinion is on an issue, it matters.
You don’t shut them up just because they don’t match or agree with yours.
I was tempted to engage these complainers in a meaningful conversation about the crux of the matter.
But when you have scanners announcing what could be an important crime story, a phone conversation or an e-mail exchange normally ends with “Thank your reading the story, I really appreciate hearing from you.”
I know they’re not always satisfied with that response, but sometimes that’s the best one can give especially when one disagrees with them and one values so deeply that their voice is somehow heard.
July 10, 2010
