Faking the News

The Panhandle, Golden Gate Park 1968

I saw this happen several times when the news crews came to the Haight looking for story. The rumor of a 'happening' would bring the reporters out in force. When the story did not materialize, they would stage an event for the 6:00 pm news. The TV crew came prepared with incense, finger cymbals, flowers and flutes. They would pass around the props to the small group they managed to put together for the show. The news media kept perpetuating the myth.