Letter to the Editor -- Ron and Anna Winship

Editor Tony Dodero’s thoughts regarding the reporting policy in the

“paint-ball case” brings to mind the general problem of “under reporting”

a story (From the Newsroom, “Healthy newsroom debates help the readers”).

In many cases, our police have information that they would prefer not be

given out to the general public for a number of investigative reasons.

If this was the case regarding the Gary Holdren story, then say so:

“police withholding information as they pursue leads.”

If this was not the case then say so; otherwise what happens is that

readers are allowed to surmise on their own. For example, in this story,

our immediate reaction was that it was probably two or three local kids

that were responsible. Had Holdren not been injured, the whole event

might have been considered humorous.

Not now of course, but that could have been the general public view.

Had the Daily Pilot, however, mentioned that “three men in their late 50s

wearing camo gear are being sought in connection with the attack,” or

“that two Latinos and one black teen wearing black T-shirts and baseball

caps were seen and identified,” they could have better assisted the

general public to be on the lookout for such perpetrators.

The lack of -- or underreporting of -- stories, especially where

physical harm has occurred, is de-facto fear-mongering.

Most people have everyday fears. Clear reporting is a service that

allows them to put those fears in order. Remember Richard Ramirez?

Without thoughtful reporting, he might still be loose.

RON AND ANN WINSHIP

Newport Beach