Posted on 09/28/2001 7:09:00 AM PDT by janus
Massachusetts Port Authority removes controversial graphic from Web site
By JAY LINDSAY, Associated Press
BOSTON (September 27, 2001 09:54 p.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) - An aerial view of Logan Airport appeared on the managing agency's Web site, with a bright headline, "Massport: Planning for the Future." Then came the crosshairs.
Appearing and disappearing over different sections of the airport, two lines settled into a cross, then flashed a red circle, as if a target has been locked.
The graphic, put online in 1998, showed where construction or improvements were planned. Shortly after The Associated Press wrote about it Thursday, the graphic was removed - more than two weeks after two passenger jets at Logan were hijacked and used to destroy the World Trade Center.
Public relations experts said the crosshairs showed insensitivity to safety concerns and should have been removed immediately after the Sept. 11 attacks.
"It's chilling to look at that," said Brenda Wrigley, assistant professor of public relations at Michigan State University. "It's worse than inappropriate."
Massachusetts Port Authority spokesman Jose Juves said the agency recognized immediately after the attacks that the image "could be misconstrued." It was not removed earlier because airport personnel were busy with security concerns, he said.
"Our priority certainly was not on public relations," he said.
Massport has been besieged by charges of lax security following the attacks. Acting Gov. Jane Swift has appointed a commission to look into Massport's operations.
Copyright © 2001 Nando Media
Billybob
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