I am absolutely appalled and disturbed at today’s (April 4, 2013) headline news photo of a fatal motorcycle crash.
Granted what happened the day before was likely newsworthy, an unfortunate and tragic accident, however I believe that the photo was not.
I turn to the Advocate as it is our only main source of news in this community aside from the radio.
I grew up in this community and feel that it exemplifies sorrow and sympathy when needed but feel that it was lost here in this article, starting with the picture. A picture of a simple cross and flowers at the roadside would have gotten the message across — rather than what you printed today.
As a responsible news source in this community, I felt you promoted fear and judgment by printing this picture, rather than sympathy and advocating the news of this story.
Why not reach out to this community and encourage our motorcycle riders and other members of society sharing the road with them that it is that time of year again to watch out for each other? Or take an opportunity to remind us of motorcycle safety? Or even take a political standpoint and talk about the guardrail likely involved in the crash?
I hope that this young mans family does not live in this city to see such a disgraceful photo picturing the remains of his final resting place.
However his colleagues and many friends do call this community their home and likely did see today’s photo.
This man was a selfless, serving member of our community and I find it so incredibly disheartening that you would print this picture for the rest of our community to see and remember him by.
Likely this won’t be the last motor vehicle collision fatality of the year, and I ask that you and your staff show some respect to the families and use some discretion by leaving a positive lasting impression — good news is newsworthy — the pictures are not necessary and not newsworthy!
Amandha Richter
Red Dee