Reporters need a thick skin. Hard-hitting stories can generate a lot of complaints, including abusive language and the occasional threat. It got out of hand this month in Las Vegas where a reporter was stabbed to death in his home. Police have arrested an elected official who had been the subject of several investigative stories the reporter had written for the
I feel like it's especially dangerous in the current era we're living since around 2015. I have always talked about writing stories from a downtown park, and I've posted lots of pics of me typing away doing just that, but after the Jan. 6 Insurrection, and trucks circled the park with big Trump signs, I became leery about my exposure there. . . I still go, but I'm always keeping an eye out on my surroundings. . . And, we've had instances in central Iowa where Black reporters in particular have faced increasing hostility when out reporting, so none of us can be too vigilant. Sometimes our safety is only as good as the will of the crowd, and that's sobering.
Dana, I'm aware of several times during my career when Black reporters were singled out for harassment in the field. Some folks aren't happy to see us to begin with, but if that person is racist, it can get ugly in a hurry.
I feel like it's especially dangerous in the current era we're living since around 2015. I have always talked about writing stories from a downtown park, and I've posted lots of pics of me typing away doing just that, but after the Jan. 6 Insurrection, and trucks circled the park with big Trump signs, I became leery about my exposure there. . . I still go, but I'm always keeping an eye out on my surroundings. . . And, we've had instances in central Iowa where Black reporters in particular have faced increasing hostility when out reporting, so none of us can be too vigilant. Sometimes our safety is only as good as the will of the crowd, and that's sobering.
Dana, I'm aware of several times during my career when Black reporters were singled out for harassment in the field. Some folks aren't happy to see us to begin with, but if that person is racist, it can get ugly in a hurry.