Journalists reporting Gulf risk up to 5 years in prison

The American coastguard set a new rule which states that journalists who come closer than 20 meters (65 feet) to polluted Gulf areas risk a fine of $40.000 and 1 to 5 years prison.

Rachel Polisch, 'media liaison' for the American coastguard, also happens to be vice-president of 'Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide'. Biggest customer of this pr-office: BP, of course.

So journalists who try doing their job risk to get sued for a 'class D felony'. More and more journalists are complaining they get obstructed by police officers.

Source (Dutch)

To me it's unthinkable a national coastguard can restrict journalists in a way like this. I already knew objective reporting never carried much importance in the US anyway, but openly restricting the possibility to do so is criminal in itself. Arrogant to say the least. Can't such a restriction be overruled by conflict of interest?

interesting. and the reason behind this restriction and punishment is what?

reply to post by la vie

There's no official reason included in the article and I can't directly find a more elaborate version of it.
The only content given is what I translated above.

I do love to hear the answer to your question as well.


[edit on 7/7/10 by Movhisattva]

Please continue the discussion in the existing thread.

Thank you.

Thread closed.