As a reporter, I try to minimize harm (in line with SPJ ethics) so I'm just aghast at TV news that will send helicopters into traumatized neighborhoods for a protest of 100 people or less. My journalism colleagues in TV should justify how it's newsworthy or speak against it.

For people who don't know what "traumatized neighborhoods" means, south Minneapolis was a center of unrest after George Floyd was killed. Outside of protest crackdowns, no cops were visible for five days or more as looting and random arsons happened. Helicopters 24-7 for weeks.

I've asked the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists @mnspj board to take on this question. I'm willing to argue that the board should issue a statement asking TV to use helicopters in a more focused way. I'll update on whether they'll consider.

I love that my colleagues in American journalism howl against supression of the free press. Good. Our role is in the 1st Amendment & important to democracy. But some don't seem as concerned about journalists' responsibility to our sources & the public. We need the public's trust.