As many of you saw, I was attacked along with photojournalist Jeremy Fine while doing an illegal dumping story on Albuquerque's West Mesa. You can see the whole report here.I've been in the news business for about ten years now. I've been on plenty of confrontations over the past years, especially with questionable characters. This is the first time someone flipped-out and got violent.
Some people question my judgment when I go on such confrontations. Reading some of the comments on KOB.com's comment board, I found it funny, yet expected that someone called me "stupid" for questioning the man who attacked us (Eric Beyer, who is now charged with five felonies).
As a journalist, I shouldn't be afraid to confront people who are violating the laws that most of us abide by. I think as a citizen, I have the right to point the finger and say "This man is getting away with breaking the law." As an investigative reporter, I have a duty to question such people, even at the risk of violence. After all, I wouldn't be much of a reporter if I was afraid of seeking out the truth.
