Home About Archives RSS Feed

Opinion: Those Who Shall Not Be Named

By Tammy DanielsThe Editor
There has been talk that a hate group with a pattern of disrupting the funerals of servicemen and servicewomen may make an appearance at the funeral of Michael DeMarsico on Saturday.

iBerkshires has determined that it will not name this group, it will not photograph this group, it will not interview this group, should it appear, and it will not tweet about this group.

We will not allow this group to use us to further its mission or promote its website through search engines. Our colleagues may argue that this is news and should be covered. That is their decision to make.

This extended family preaching a message of intolerance seems to have a pattern of announcing protests, getting everyone in a tizzy and then not showing up. Last fall, they threatened to protest at the funeral of a Plymouth soldier killed in Afghanistan. They didn't appear, but did get news articles "explaining" their views and an explosion of social media centered on them.

That's a pretty good PR strategy. We're not falling for it.

If these people arrive, and usually it's just a few, what's the newsworthiness in interviewing them? Because they're holding signs? Because they're near a funeral? Because they're upsetting people on an emotional day? What will they say or do that will be different from what they've said or done a hundred times before?

It makes for a "hot" story but we're not all about the clicks. We cover Berkshire County, and the things important to the people of Berkshire County. And based on the incredible turnout on Wednesday, what the family of Michael DeMarsico is going through is important to Berkshire County. Burying North Adams' native son with respect is important to Berkshire County.

Those people are not.

The group has every right to protest; we strongly support its First Amendment Right to speak out, however distasteful. But it seeks coverage; it lives on grief and controversy and anger. We would prefer not to feed it. That is our right.

We would ask that people posting through Facebook also not use their name. We do not want it to be found on our website.
     

Support Local News

We show up at hurricanes, budget meetings, high school games, accidents, fires and community events. We show up at celebrations and tragedies and everything in between. We show up so our readers can learn about pivotal events that affect their communities and their lives.

How important is local news to you? You can support independent, unbiased journalism and help iBerkshires grow for as a little as the cost of a cup of coffee a week.

Featured Stories
North Adams Man Guilty of Murder
Pontoosuc Under Public Health Advisory
Greylock Project Proponents, Opponents Getting Message Out
South County Overnight Road Work
New Fall Foliage Leaf Hunt Clues for 2024
Weekend Outlook: Fall Foliage Parades, Fundraisers, and More
North Adams Restaurant Falling Short of Safety Standards
Mill Town Circus Highlights North Adams History for Fall Foliage
General Election Information and Deadlines
Adams' Green Finalist for Lenox Town Manager


Categories:
Arts (1)
Google (1)
Local (6)
Newspapers (4)
Radio (0)
Television (0)
Web (11)
Archives:
Tags:
Comments Demarsico Window Lenox Shift Tanglewood Hate Group Dogbert Subscription Comic Rockwell Dilbert Intern iBerkshires Art Graduates News Santa Anniversary Information Advertising Eagle Norad Mcla Topix Editor Tracking Birthday Transcript Celebration Education Paywall
Popular Entries:
Papers Implement Paywall; iBerkshires Still Free
Topix, No More?
The New News
Transcript Editor Left Reporting Legacy
Santa's Flight Check
iBerkshires Adds Facebook Commenting System
iBerkshires Congratulates MCLA Grads
iBerkshires Turns 11 Years Old
A Lot of Things to Think About
iBerkshires Celebrates 14 Years of Covering the Region
Recent Entries:
iBerkshires Celebrates 14 Years of Covering the Region
Opinion: Those Who Shall Not Be Named
iBerkshires.com Debuts New Look
iBerkshires Adds Facebook Commenting System
iBerkshires Adds 'FlyerCentral' To Advertising Options
Papers Implement Paywall; iBerkshires Still Free
Transcript Editor Left Reporting Legacy
iBerkshires Congratulates MCLA Grads
iBerkshires Turns 11 Years Old
Santa's Flight Check