Disappointed by Idexx camera reporting | Letter

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer my news stories to be based on facts and not supposition. Unfortunately, the Press Herald feels differently, based on the story, “Idexx appears to have plate-reading cameras monitoring Maine properties,” June 10.

This was a story lacking the most basic facts: the what and when. The headline and the story’s introduction both used the word “appears.” Further along, we encounter the word “if,” further cementing the fact that the Press Herald did not know if what it was reporting on was occurring.

Later in the story, the author used the word “unclear” to describe the cameras’ use, reiterating that this entire story was built on guesswork. Based on that report, we do not know what these cameras are able to do, are doing, or if they were operational.

At least the paper tried to contact the camera’s owners, a fact that was referenced three times in the story.

I would like to think the Press Herald realizes news stories are based on facts, not “maybes,” “appears,” “ifs” and “unclears.” Based on this story, it appears I am wrong.

Ken Tatro
South Portland

Editor’s note: In the days after the publication of the June 10 news story, Idexx removed eight of the cameras reported on.

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Tagged: letter to the editor