Coverage of Biden’s age is not journalism

A photo of 81-year-old President Biden who briefly lost stairwell footing on one of his frequent airplane trips has been aired to a nauseating degree on media nationwide.

Iowa's Chuck Grassley is 90. Imagine following him around 24/7 with a high powered telephoto lens and then posting doctored photos on cable and social media with degrading commentary.

Pope Francis, 87 has been seen in unbecoming poses. Would media moguls lay in wait for awkward moment "paparazzi-style" film clips of the Pope as they do Biden? Would the public stand for it?

Who among us could not be made to look very stupid with an ever-present camera intent on slander and damage to our reputation?

This tactic is not journalism. It is propaganda.

In a different time the press reported to the public the policy positions of our leaders and their words, not the inevitable events that come with disability, age and the rigor of daily activity.

President Franklin Roosevelt led our nation through the Great Depression and World War II. Roosevelt also suffered from poliomyelitis, was confined to a wheelchair and wore heavy steel leg braces. There were no hateful press tactics. The President was known to the public for his character, words and actions and there was respect for the presidency.

Americans are being played for stupid by these tactics. Some fall for the nastiness. Most don't. Roosevelt and Biden fought hard to overcome disabilities so that they can serve our country. That's how wise people see it.

David Helman

Salem