Spill coverage barriers remain despite promises

NEW ORLEANS – Journalists covering the Gulf of Mexico oil spill have been yelled at, kicked off public beaches and islands and threatened with arrest in the nearly three weeks since the government promised improved media access.

Adm. Thad Allen, the federal government's point person for the response, issued a May 31 directive to BP PLC and federal officials ensuring media access to key sites along the coast. BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles followed up with a letter to news organizations, saying the company "fully supports and defends all individuals' rights to share their personal thoughts and experiences with journalists if they so choose."

Those efforts have done little to curtail the obstacles, harassment and intimidation tactics journalists are facing by federal officials and local police, as well as BP employees and contractors, while covering the worst environmental catastrophe in U.S. history.

news.yahoo.com...

What governmental interest is served by restricting the press from covering an environmental catastrophe caused by a private corporation? Really, why does the government not want the American people to get the whole truth?

I think this is A LOT worse than B. Hussain Obama is letting on. I think we will only know about the damage in years.

I for one would feel MUCH better KNOWING the facts, possible outcomes based on experience from those in the know and believe that by continuing to lie and cover up that no trust can or will be established.

People are already buzzing and speculating and it's not going to stop: perhaps a few valid and proven FACTS might actually help diffuse the anger and even fear that's building?

I have not spoken with one person here in South Texas since this happened that isn't disgusted and resentful of the way we're all being treated as if we're simply too ignorant or stupid to DESERVE the truth!

What's really happening should be plastered all over the TV,newspapers,and online with pictures,interviews,and anything else the American people NEED and DESERVE TO KNOW about what might possbly be an event that changes everyone's lives!

Logical conclusion: there is a "reason" it's being handled this way,I'm just waiting for soomeone to kick down the barriers and spill the facts!

It's a bunch of crap is what it is.

Here we are, middle of June, and this nonsense is still going on. With every day that goes by, the BS coming from BP only makes people more angry. This company is so sleezy, and so negligent, my only hope is at some point, they are somehow, dissolved. Yeah, i know i'm dreaming

Okay...now this is bothering me,LOL! Not laughing at the situation of course but am REALLY now wondering why NO ONE has literally stormed the beaches, covertly taken a boat out into the site, or in ANY way done something to flippin' GET to the facts?
How and with what are they scaring people? Fear is the only motivater I can think of that would stop people from exposing this tragic coverup...

I have been reading around online a LOT,probably too much but feel it's my obligation as a caring citizen and responsible adult to try and stay informed...lots of articles on the tech of it all,lots of forums,lots of experts and "voices" but I'm simply not seeing anything dramatic that anyone has tried to do?

If it were me and mine affected (and I hope it won't be down the line...) I think I'd be risking life and limb at this point to get some answers: what's the worst that could happen that hasn't already happened??? Jail? Being screamed at or threatend?

Something really intense is going on to keep people "in line..."

this is a joke

this just shows u that the mainstream press is a freaking joke and that all journalists that work for them should commit a business suicide and stop working for them

we all should know what is going on, maybe someone in other country or whatever can help ... who knows