Press Herald news alert on BIW protest deemed inaccurate

Bath city councilor objects to misleading headline about peaceful protest

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A Portland Press Herald news alert about a protest outside Bath Iron Works during a visit by Pete Hegseth was criticized by Bath city councilor Chris Marks as inaccurate. The alert claimed there were "protesters clash" when in fact, according to the police chief, "Everybody was well behaved and able to exercise their First Amendment rights."

Why it matters

Accurate and responsible reporting is crucial, especially around politically charged events. This incident highlights the need for media outlets to verify information and avoid sensationalized headlines that do not reflect the true nature of events.

The details

The news alert was sent by the Portland Press Herald around 2 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026, about a protest outside Bath Iron Works during a visit by conservative commentator Pete Hegseth. However, Bath city councilor Chris Marks objected to the alert's headline, which claimed "Protesters clash outside Pete Hegseth's visit," saying there were no such problems and the protest was peaceful.

  • The news alert was sent around 2 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Chris Marks

A Bath city councilor who objected to the inaccurate news alert about a protest at Bath Iron Works.

Andrew Booth

The Bath Police Chief who stated that "Everybody was well behaved and able to exercise their First Amendment rights" during the protest.

Pete Hegseth

A conservative commentator whose visit to Bath Iron Works prompted the protest.

Portland Press Herald

The media outlet that sent the inaccurate news alert about the protest.

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What they’re saying

“Everybody was well behaved and able to exercise their First Amendment rights.”

— Andrew Booth, Bath Police Chief (Portland Press Herald)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for media outlets to verify information and avoid sensationalized headlines that do not accurately reflect the true nature of events, especially around politically charged issues. Responsible and accurate reporting is crucial for maintaining public trust.