A 9-year-old reporter faces negative comments for covering a suspected murder just a few blocks from her house. In a video, she responded to those who think she is too young to report sensitive and adult topics.
Young journalist Hilde Kate Lysiak of Orange Street News (OSN), who responded and covered a story on a suspected murder in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, received numerous of ire comments from adults. Some said Hilde should be playing dolls, having a tea party and not reporting such serious matters.
"It makes me mad that they think just because I'm 9 doesn't mean I can do a newspaper," said Hilde on Today.com.
According to Hilde, she heard rumors that the police had caught the person responsible for a vandal in town — a story she previously wrote about — and went to the station to confirm the information. She consulted a source and confirmed that the police are investigating a murder on 9th Street.
On April 2, Hilde was the first to break a story on the murder case. In her report, she said that some officials are carrying someone on a stretcher out of the house, and the suspect was said to have murdered his wife using a hammer.
This sensitive case that Hilde wrote shocked many readers as to why a young girl covers a crime scene of such magnitude.
"Mean" Messages
While some praised Hilde's work, many debated and commented negatively. One of the "mean messages" she received came from Former Selinsgrove Mayor Sean Christine's comment, saying "Sensationalist Trash."
Others even commented with a really unacceptable words like, "You are nine f****** years old. What the f*** is wrong with you?"
Hilde Answered Critics
"Because of my work, I was able to inform the people that there's a terrible murder, hours before my competition even got to the scene. In fact some of the adult-run newspapers were reporting the wrong news, or no news at all," said Hilde.
She added that it may make some of the people feel uncomfortable, and just want her to sit down and be quiet.
"If you want me to stop covering news, then you get off your computers and do something about the news," Hilde added on her video.
It's In The Blood
Hilde is the sole editor and publisher of Orange Street News, a site created by her father for her to work on her news stories. She's been running OSN since she was seven years old.
Her father Matthew Lysiak was a reporter in New York Daily News for 10 years, no wonder she had a thirst for news. Back then, Matthew typically brings his family on site while reporting and gathering information about tragedies and heinous crimes.
"Both of my older daughters looked at is as exciting and fun, and saw it as an opportunity to get to the truth," said Matthew Lysiak.
Hilde gathers information around the town with 5,000 residents by her bike. She knocks on doors and asks locals for any happenings in the town.
