If you want to pitch a story to a reporter don’t threaten to call the police on his photographer.A staff photographer from my paper this morning shot a photo of a woman standing on a pubic sidewalk protesting a Manassas, Va. abortion clinic. She happened to be standing and praying next to the only pro-choice counter protester at the rally when the photo was shot.
She apparently was embarrassed when she realized the photo could put her at odds with her pro-life companions, and then told a rally organizer what happened. He quickly approached us and threatened to call police if we used the photo.
A local blogger the day before posted a story about the upcoming protest, detailing a counter protest to be staged by Planned Parenthood, an organization that supports a woman’s right to choose. Planned Parenthood never showed up.
A call to their national office in Washington confirmed there was no such counter protest planned today in Manassas.
The one counter protester said “I’m sick and tired of these people walking around outside of this clinic and I wish they would just go home.” He was a nearby resident and did not identify himself with a pro-choice group.
While the sight of about 60 protesters lining the sidewalk near the clinic was impressive, drivers who regularly pass that spot throughout the week are often treated to protesters holding signs. And because there was only one man countering their effort Saturday, there was little if any story.
My photographer and I were in the process of the leaving when the rally organizer made the threat. I explained to him our paper would not run a story about his protest, thus the photo would not be used.
The man acquiesced and then urged us to write a story anyway. I declined and wished him good day.
Two lessons to take away from this experience: Hang out along the roadside if you don’t want people to see or possibly snap a photo of you.
Secondly, don’t trust every blogger. It’s hard to hold them accountable for the inaccuracies they write.
