What you won't hear in the news

When it comes to protests there are a few things you will never hear in the news. Sure, you'll hear about masked delinquents who throw rocks and paint at police, you'll hear about the occassional fire, the general news count about how many have been detained, how many people and police were injured, and the extent of those injuries.

Cut.

Dried. 

Facts only. 

As journalists we go to these events, we cover them, we're right in thick of it. We collect photos, sound, video, and observations of what is going on around us. 

I was told in many classes when we watched films about journalists working in the field that we make a separation between ourself and the subject, especially if it's an intense moment. I didn't understand what that meant until yesterday when I was covering the unauthorized student march route at Plaza Italia with Kayla. 

It's our job as journalists to act against the usual instincts: To stay in one place or run forward as crowds are running at you, to face confrontation head on, and yes, sometimes get arrested for doing our jobs, like the reporters from Chilevision, CNN Chile and Mega did yesterday while they covered the same protest I was at. 

We learn to see the event through a camera lens or through observations without letting our emotions get the best of us. We rush back to the office, do our write-ups and then go on to collect more information. There is no time for processing, until you get home. 

What you don't read or see in the news is the story about the old man in his wheelchair being helped by five or six students down the stairs of a bank that would not let them in due to the chaos in the street. You do not hear that they helped him down the stairs and then pushed him as fast as they could to get him away from the tear gas as it permeated down Alameda while a combination of masked little cowards and protesters start to fill up any available exit for him, simply to find safety. 

You don't hear about the girl and her boyfriend who were standing on a street corner in a neighborhood away from the chaos,  overcome by tear gas, unable to breathe, tears blinding them, begging in a hoarsened voice "Solomente un limon. Por favor, un limon." looking for even the slightest relief from the tear gas, that was launched immediately as the group began marching peacefully forward causing the aforementioned masked little cowards to appear out of thin air as chaos erupted.

Thankfully you have lemons, and thankfully you can help them and another lady as you're walking down the street. 

You don't hear this because in a world of sanitized numbers, figures, and facts, we've found it easier to manage than the in-your-face stories we saw during wars such as Vietnam. There is no place for emotion today when you deal in destruction, delinquents and dollars. Because honestly, I don't think the real world could handle it.

Until next time,
Avery