“ECONOMY GONE HAYWIRE” was a featured quote, in large print, on the front page of the San Ramon Valley Times, on July 16, 2008.

Although none of us would contest the point that we face complex economic challenges in the present environment, I object to the featuring of such an alarmist inaccurate, vernacular statement in such a prominent position in the paper. I wonder if any of us can imagine such a headline in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, or the Christian Science Monitor?

Consumer confidence is a major pillar of economic stability. The employment of overly dramatic scare tactics, such as the publishing of today’s headline, can engender fear which is disproportionate to the realities of our economy. Fear can then lead to reluctance to spend money or even to runs upon banks, often by people whose deposits are fully insured.

As advertizing revenues for printed media decline, there is a temptation to indulge in sensationalist and tabloid journalism in order to sell newspapers. And yet, the public trust incumbent upon such powerful media should constrain the editors from eye-catching fear-mongering exaggerations.

Dale Price
Danville