The stereotype of a media mob is well-documented in movies - a horde of ravenous reporters waving cameras, microphones and notebooks pounces upon and encircles a hapless individual, pushing, shoving and shouting questions.
It is a horrifying image - and is in an untrue one.
For 35 years, I was a reporter. But on Jan. 8, 2011, I was on the other side. I was a press adviser to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and was with her at the Safeway that day.
Obviously it was a big story - the biggest one in the country for several days. Reporters descended on Tucson en masse. But they were - with only a handful of exceptions - understanding and sensitive to our loss.
The media did its job - but they did it with almost universal kindness.
In the first few terrible hours and then for days after I was interviewed by many reporters whom I knew well - from the Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Weekly, Arizona Public Media, The Arizona Republic and local television stations.
Each first apologized for having to question me about what clearly was a traumatic incident in my life. They knew it was difficult for me to talk about friends and colleagues who had been injured or killed.
I talked to many reporters who were moved to tears by having to cover such a horrible story. It was difficult for those of us who were there - but I also know it was very difficult for those whose job it was to tell our story.
This was an unspeakable event. But I am very proud how it was handled by my former colleagues from Tucson, from Arizona and from around the nation.
Thank you.
Mark Kimble, 59, is communications director for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
