So much for Freedom of the Press.

[Worriedman]

All this "Can't film here" is starting to get out of hand. Reporters arrested for taking pictures at a public meeting.

Why I Was Arrested Yesterday at a D.C. Taxi Commission Meeting - Hit & Run : Reason Magazine

[Pain103]

I'm sure there is more to this story. Always leery when there is only a brief video not showing the whole story.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Well, I heard several attendees say "public meeting". I wonder what's so damned

secret about a public meeting. Absurd at face value.

[Paladin132]

I agree with both comments above. I know it is nearly impossible to know all the facts if you are at a incident, much less if you are not there. It also makes me wonder, the public's business should be out there, not hidden. I mean it is our business right?

I am not so sure a LEO should be promising anyone anything other than a preliminary investigation either. That was a little odd to me.

In the story I posted it was not a press member, and I do not think having recording equipment makes someone a member of the press, this one sounds as though they worked for a news organization though. Would be interesting to see more of what comes of it - although I wonder why the reporter did not write what the charge was and under what conditions that they were released.

[Worriedman]

although I wonder why the reporter did not write what the charge was and under what conditions that they were released.

It’s Time to Inspect D.C.’s Hack Inspectors | . . . . . TheFightBack - Reporting from the streets . . . . . . of the District of Columbia

“Unlawful Entry/Remaining” and “Disorderly Conduct.”

[DaveTN]

Chairwoman Dena Reed had declared that none of the commission's proceedings could be videotaped or recorded, claiming that cameras could be disruptive and didn't fit into the commission's small meeting space.

Thats what needs to be investigated.

I guess it would depend on the states laws on recording. I don’t think anyone has a right to record anything. However arresting them instead of kicking them out is going a little far.

Edited June 24, 2011 by DaveTN

[Guest Drewsett]

If the guy was affiliated with Reason then it's a legitimate news org. They publish a magazine, with mainly a libertarian bent. I subscribe. They have been all over this. They had a post online as he was being arrested.

[dunndw]

Use something like UStream....they can take the camera, but not the recording. Broadcast live