People who took a free media training workshop after a mass shooting thrust their Toronto neighbourhood into the spotlight had little to say to reporters after the session.

Organizers say residents in the east-end community requested the training after finding their neighbourhood full of reporters.

But one participant in yesterday’s session says fewer than 12 people showed up to the 90-minute workshop.

She says it covered how the media can be helpful, and stressed that most reporters are just doing their job.

A city official says residents weren’t happy with their community’s portrayal in the media.

Nineteen-year-old Jemall Jefferson says some people in the community have problems, but the media made the whole area look bad.

Other residents say the community needs other supports more than media training.