Kyron Q&A, minus the Q
Tuesday, July 28, 2010 – The big news of the day was the increase in the reward for information in the disappearance of 7-year-old Kyron Horman to $50,000. Kyron’s mother, Desiree Young, offered a tearful plea for her child’s return, and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Tim Moore updated TV, radio, and print journalists with some statistics about the investigation. All in all it was a very atypical news press conference considering the circumstances. A podium full of microphones, lots of cameras, taper recorders, and notepads at the ready. Except for one little point of contention that had reporters blood boiling. No questions.
It’s a tall order to invite reporters from far and wide out to the sheriff’s training facility on NE 172nd Avenue and Sandy Blvd (50 miles from nowhere) and expect them to not ask any questions, and take it smiling. After Desiree Young gave a heartfelt statement a few reporters chimed in and quickly got shut down. And at that point I saw stunned faces, not smiling ones.
The lack of transparency and cooperation with the media didn’t effect my ability to do my job. I was able to get a somber photograph that shows Desiree’s sadness and desperation 53 days into her son’s disappearance. But it is always frustrating and disconcerting when reporters are asked to report a story while being denied the opportunity to ask questions.
Visit www.portlandtribune.com to read the full story.