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In reply to the discussion: L.A. deputies tackled and arrested a reporter. Her videos contradict their claims about the incident [View all]12over
(63 posts)Middle of a riot? No.
A "press pass" is sort of a pre-background check for CERTAIN situations. Instead of having to look into someones background EVERY time they come to a White Press Conference, or get access to a locker room of a sports team.
Controlled situations. Sure. All the time.
In the middle of a riot? no way. No how. Never.
Too dynamic. What are the police supposed to do? Stop. Ignore any criminal activity that is going on around them. Call in to dispatch to have them check to see if the person holding a laminated card or shouting "WKRP! WKRP!" is REALLY who they say they are?|
no way. No how. Never.
Journalists know this too. I worked for an ABC affiliate for years. If a reporter had ignored police commands to leave an area and got themselves arrested while yelling the station call letters they would have likely been fired on the spot. Just a REALLy good way to sour the relationship between the station and the police and make it likely so that when the situation isnt as fluid and dangerous as say, in the middle of a riot, the station would NOT be granted access because the police have previous experience with their reporters NOT following instructions.