Colorado wildfire: Denver TV stations clash with Larimer officials on fire coverage

Source: 
Author: 
Coverage Type: 

Denver television stations delivered extended coverage of the ongoing, fast-moving High Park Fire through the weekend as flames raged over nearly 37,000 acres and damaged or destroyed an estimated 100 structures. Reports of evacuations and the weather dominated the coverage, with stunning aerial and ground footage of the flames. At times the journalistic imperative to deliver news clashed with authorities' efforts to control the flow of information. On June 11, the Larimer County Sherriff's Office issued a request to the media not to show photos of destroyed homes out of respect to homeowners. Station managers acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, but turned aside the plea on journalistic grounds.


Colorado wildfire: Denver TV stations clash with Larimer officials on fire coverage