reporting and called for a display of "professional journalism'' in future coverage.

The comments were made yesterday at the WCOM opening ceremony in response to coverage of the controversy surrounding WCOM organiser Bonnie Marshall.

Addressing his comments to the members of the media present, WCOM chaplain Rev. Al Sampson criticised the "distasteful remarks'' made by the press about Ms Marshall.

And Rev. Sampson stated: "We've come here in peace, love and unity and we pray that you would not attack our women any more. In America, when black women get attacked, black men rise to the attack,'' he added.

Saginaw, Michigan Mayor Gary Loster supported Rev. Sampson's comments, noting that he was "shocked and appalled by the lack of ethics'' shown by members of the press covering the event.