To say the Facebook comments on The Newtown Bee’s coverage of the recent Rock This Democracy protests have been politically charged, confrontational, and often showing the worst side of Newtown is a bit of an understatement.

Generally the staff of the newspaper attempts to stay out of the fray, and allow conversation to go unchecked, only removing the worst of the worst. One type of comment came up a few times, however, that did need to be addressed, not in the comments but here in the paper so that all readers can see: those accusing this newspaper of political bias for the simple act of covering these protests.

It’s nonsense, of course. As the newspaper of record in town, it is the job and duty of its staff to give coverage to events and large gatherings, and 700 people protesting on April 5 was large for a single town, especially considering there were other protests all over the state and country the same day. There was literally no choice but to give it the paper’s attention and a fairly large amount of ink to that gathering, and the subsequent one two weeks later.

We cover them not because they are liberal/Democratic events. We cover them because they are Newtown events. We would equally cover 700 Republicans protesting.

The idea that coverage of any event shows bias is absurd, and runs up against the fact that this paper has covered every Legislative Town Hall conducted by our location’s legislative contingent of Republican State Senator Tony Hwang and Republican State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Marty Foncello, staff has been to multiple Java with Jeff sessions with First Selectmen Jeff Capeci. Staff has sat down for one-on-one interviews with all four gentlemen on many, many occasions. All four gentlemen are important in their roles to Newtown and it is the duty and honor of The Newtown Bee to hear what they have to say and put it into print and online, thus continuing our commitment to recording the permanent history of this town. It would actually show bias if The Bee were to turn around and ignore 700 people protesting from the other side of the aisle.

News is often political. Events are often political. It is the duty of The Newtown Bee to cover political events from both sides of the aisle, which it has always done and will continue to always do.

It is a shame in this day and age that many are growing too used to news media that caters to their own perspective and often ignores the other side. As a community paper, that is not the role of The Newtown Bee. The Bee is not a 24-hour-per-day news as entertainment network. It is Newtown based, it is community based, and it reflects the perspectives of all sides of the political spectrum.

Brace yourselves, as Rock This Democracy reportedly plans to continue its vigils, rallies and protests through the summer. The Newtown Bee will be there. If other protests or rallies are planned from other political perspectives — and we are given notice of those plans — The Newtown Bee will be there, too.