Comments on: Newspaper journalist arrested while filming demonstration in St. Louis

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:17:33 +0000

Super, they would take food out of starving children’s mouths before they touch the pigs pensions . Disgusting, how cops get to be labeled “good guys” without much thought if the moniker is correct.

By: Pinandpuller

Pinandpuller — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:14:37 +0000

Here’s a shocking police resignation: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090810/NEWS01/90810042/1001/NEWS

By: Spokker

Spokker — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:23:50 +0000

“Thanks for being part of the problem Spokker.”

Hey, if wanting to stay away from chaotic scenes where people are fighting, insulting each other and getting pepper sprayed makes me part of the problem, then consider me part of the problem.

By: Supernintendo Chalmers

Supernintendo Chalmers — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:12:13 +0000

interference is when you bump the goalie in the crease.

but seriously, these cops aren’t angry yet… just wait til their pensions are forcibly cut after the upcoming nationwide municipal bankruptcy filings.

By: Pinandpuller

Pinandpuller — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 07:24:11 +0000

“Hi! We’re the police and we’re here to take action!”

I’ve really got to wonder now what Douglas Adam’s inspiriation was for the Vogons.

By: Joel

Joel — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 01:16:52 +0000

I don’t disagree there is an increasingly complex landscape regarding media, obviously with the recent proliferation of independent media, including blogs.

My larger point is that any professional police force would understand the lack of pragmatic wisdom in arresting a credentialed member of the major media, much less one who is working in a position and manner that in no way threatens public order.

I would hope we can all agree this is not Iran, or China, and such treatment of the press are unacceptable in a mature democracy. “Interference” in this instance is something that Ben Franklin or Thomas Jefferson would have charged of the police–interfering with free exercise of the press. If anyone feels the need to indulge a dislike or distrust of the media, that is their right, but not to exercise it in a manner that restricts their work. There is nothing American about that.

By: Michaelk42

Michaelk42 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:09:00 +0000

@Joel

Credentialed media access to a physically limited space or access point in advance is one thing; booting people from a public area based on “credentials” alone is another.

I think you meant area NOT open to the public in your example there, btw.

Not asserting a right to information regardless of “major” media affiliation leads to other problems. Like the police deciding they get to decide who the “real” media are:

http://iminurfortkillingurdudes.blogspot.com/2009/04/this-post-does-not-exist.html

Special access is one thing. Public access in a public area, or to public information however, is another.

(And yes, I got the info: http://iminurfortkillingurdudes.blogspot.com/2009/05/april-cm-aftermath.html

Michael Joyner only managed to slow things down a little and make himself look a pompous ass in the end.)

By: Roger

Roger — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:21:21 +0000

The main reason cops do not want reporters, and most importantly photographers, recording the scene is they want only there view point recorded and no other. The last thing they want is to submit reports and testimony and have some video or photograph show up and expose there lie. There fore, they try to control what is recorded to insure that theres are the only “facts”.

By: Joel

Joel — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:18:19 +0000

And I feel justified in disagreeing with you strongly, Tom, having worked in media relations for many years, including the logistics for media covering major, major news events. There simply is a difference between the thousands of “civilians” with camera phones, and the limited number of credentialed working photogs assigned to cover a story. The reality is they are handled differently. It can often be problematic to have an area open to the public, yet acceptable to allow credentialed media. I would be shocked if you honestly have not encountered this situation professionally, and furthermore benefited in your work from such a distinction.