‘Trying to Shut Down Press Access’: Reporters Blast New Restrictions on Interviews with Senators (UPDATED)
Various journalists tweeted this morning that there’s now a crackdown going on for reporters wanting to conduct interviews with senators:
ALERT: Reporters at Capitol have been told they are not allow to film interviews with senators in hallways, contrary to years of precedent
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) June 13, 2017
CONDITIONS for any interview: Previously granted permission from senator AND Rules Committee of Senate
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) June 13, 2017
Do YOU want to see journalists hold your elected representatives accountable? Call the Capitol and say so: 202-224-6352 https://t.co/hTuOioMH87
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) June 13, 2017
Senate Rules Committee and @SenateSAA trying to SHUT DOWN press access in halls. No more staking out hearings without permission. Not OK.
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) June 13, 2017
NEW: The Sen Rules Cmte now wants us to request approval from them for EVERY on-cam interview of a Senator in the hallway we want to conduct
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) June 13, 2017
In the Senate there are very few places that are so-called designated camera stakeout positions. Most are not high traffic areas.
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) June 13, 2017
So restricting the access of TV cameras in hallways and requiring approval for every single interview is suffocating.
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) June 13, 2017
So to sum: Senate Rules Cmte is cracking down on TV reporters filming in hallways. Not allowed to done/o permission
— Victoria McGrane (@vgmac) June 13, 2017
One imagines some GOP senators haven’t been happy with how they’ve appeared on cable news, caught by surprise
— Victoria McGrane (@vgmac) June 13, 2017
This should concern print reporter who work on the Hill cause we are probably next
— Victoria McGrane (@vgmac) June 13, 2017
I was just told I cannot stand outside of the Budget Committee hearing room to interview lawmakers. https://t.co/gBdkztGLfO
— Kevin Cirilli (@kevcirilli) June 13, 2017
Amid dramatic press coverage changes for CapHill, no advance warning/guidance given to CapHill reporters ahead of changes. No memo. Nothing
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) June 13, 2017
And naturally, a lot of people in the media weren’t happy about this, and some even questioned whether this was related to the health care bill:
This is a stunning change of precedent. https://t.co/AJ04NOUmjb
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 13, 2017
Can't help but notice this comes as Congress is crafting major legislation behind closed doors without the usual public process there either https://t.co/XutcMJPLj4
— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) June 13, 2017
absolutely absurd rule to impose as Senate Republicans work on their health care bill affecting a sixth of the economy in secret https://t.co/0Gfeba4YIP
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) June 13, 2017
protecting senators from … reporters, armed with questions https://t.co/upHKJDz8h4
— Azi (@Azi) June 13, 2017
fucking pathetic. https://t.co/lbfqbYb5at
— Sam Stein (@samsteinhp) June 13, 2017
Probably just a coincidence that this comes as Republicans are trying to pass their secret health care bill. https://t.co/LCjFvDf5P8
— Nick Baumann (@NickBaumann) June 13, 2017
I'd observe this change comes as Senate GOP writes legislation behind closed doors that affects 1/6 of the economy, but y'all beat me to it https://t.co/qtOxDeXnW6
— Tim Alberta (@TimAlberta) June 13, 2017
This comes a couple weeks after Senate press office called reporters a safety hazard. A truly remarkable time. https://t.co/BSznvKwsqQ
— Kimberly Atkins (@KimberlyEAtkins) June 13, 2017
The GOP-led Congress' commitment to operate in shadow now includes the rule that the shining light shall be discouraged
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) June 13, 2017
This includes the public office buildings, which are open to anyone. This is a very bad policy, designed to restrict coverage. Period. https://t.co/BBTThAEJ8F
— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) June 13, 2017
UPDATE –– 1:15 pm ET: There’s a statement out from the Senate Rules Committee now claiming “no additional restrictions” are in place:
Senate Rules Committee puts out statement insisting there are no changes to existing rules pic.twitter.com/Nq3xpij2GG
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) June 13, 2017
UPDATE –– 3:16 pm ET: Shelby is claiming now that this was a “miscommunication”:
NEW @CNN: For now, "reporters should continue to operate as they were operating yesterday,” spox for Chairman of Senate Rules Cmte tells me. https://t.co/XCgha6aY9A
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) June 13, 2017
Shelby himself told CNN that what had happened "was a miscommunication. It wasn't anything I did." https://t.co/c0EZ7iS77k
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) June 13, 2017
[image via Shutterstock.com]
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