I am writing with concern about the front page article, “Felon keeps hand out,” (Oct. 29) about the homeless man who comes to Auburn to panhandle.

In light of the attacks on the homeless and on convicted sexual offenders — sometimes deadly — the Sun Journal’s treatment of the story seems questionable. Is the story of sufficient value to warrant marking this man as such an easy target? The coverage seems to reinforce the idea that homeless people are fair game.

Further, when an interviewee asks to have some information off the record, what is the Sun Journal policy? Stevens, the subject of the article, requested that his sex-offender status not be mentioned. That much is noted in the article. True, his status is a matter of public record. The decision to publish that information following his request not to do so, gives me pause.

I work with teenagers in a youth radio program at the University of Southern Maine’s radio station, WMPG. In teaching our young radio reporters, naturally, we focus on ethics. A key tenet of the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics is “minimize harm.”

Of course, reporting has to take a hard look at many subjects, and that process is often very uncomfortable to those under scrutiny. Fundamentally, I question whether the Sun Journal’s approach to the piece has merit. Does it really meet the standard of ethics by which journalists should abide?

Claire Holman, director

Blunt Youth Radio

WMPG, Greater Portland Community Radio

University of Southern Maine