Pubdate: Thu, 18 Dec 2003
Source: Pensacola News Journal (FL)
Copyright: 2003 The Pensacola News Journal
Contact:  http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1675
Author: Kees Barfield
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n000/a416.html

WASN'T INVOLVED

The recent headline "Prominent citizens arrested in drug ring" by
Amber Bollman and Brett Norman displayed tasteless, tactless and
uncalled for mention of a totally innocent and uninvolved family
member of one who was arrested.

The mention of a family member of a 40-year-old adult has absolutely
no journalistic value and should never have been mentioned.

I suppose the writers were trying to justify their headline's use of
"Prominent citizens" because in my opinion there was maybe only one
who could be considered prominent of those arrested. It's as if they
drive around looking for the proverbial puddle with an unsuspecting
bystander on the other side. Good, community-oriented people get hurt
by this kind of indiscretion.

I guess my message is, "Think before you print."

Kees Barfield, Tampa
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake