Strife

ah... ok... well under those circumstances I can understand the guard asking the media to leave, as it would be a disruption to the lives of the other families in the park if the media is THAT interested in getting interviews with the occupants of the park. Asking the media to leave was not unreasonable, however making it so that a FEMA "agent" had to be there during any interview does appear to be an over reaction to what would have been a simple situation to take care of, that now has been blown out of proportion.

David, I doubt that they did not know that some complaints would have been made if the media was in that large of a group outside the park trying to get interviews... that would just be blissful stupidity to not make that assumption. Because... honestly, who would want a group of reporters trying to interview you whenever you stepped outside to get the paper, feed the dog (if you had one), etc.... especially after you just lost your home and possibly everything you had.

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If they are harassing, that's a different story. If they have been invited by someone who is staying in this park, then it should be allowed to take place. If security is there to protect the people living in the park, then keeping the media out is just like keeping hoodrats out. If there is such a problem with harassing media, then make a call and set up a meeting place well away from the park.

Lot-o-ifs.

davideyoung

I write news, and sometimes interview folks to do so. If a FEMA guy wants to sit in on the interview, I am fine with that, just as long as he just sits there and doesn't mess with my interview. FEMA has no control over what I write.

Invayne

FEMA lifts reporter ban
Katrina victims in trailer parks were barred
from talking with media without fed agent
Posted: July 26, 2006
11:18 a.m. Eastern

FEMA announced today it reversed a policy preventing Hurricane Katrina victims in government trailer parks from being interviewed by the media unless an agent was present.

"We're responding to your criticism," James Stark, director of FEMA's Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office told editors and staff members of the Baton Rouge Advocate, which broke the story.

The new policy "will allow media full access to the group site trailer parks" without representatives of FEMA accompanying them, Stark said.

"In no way will FEMA security nor FEMA public affairs stand in the way of media entering the trailer parks with valid credentials and interviewing whomever they like," he added.

A Louisiana congressman critical of the restrictive policy was cautiously optimistic about the announced change, the Baton Rouge paper reported.

"When political pressure starts building, they immediately say they are going to change things and make them better," said Democratic Rep. Charlie Melancon.

"I just hope they're being honest with you," Melancon added. "I think I'll have to see it first before I believe it."
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=51241

ilikeGW

They know betta.

TheBigLebowski

My observation is that it could turn into a circus of reporters harassing these people.

Other than that, there can't be any FEMA editing... that would be a sick little twisted reality.