Sunday, July 25, 2010

Democrats Block Amendment to Ensure Press Access to BP Oil Spill

Most open and transparent administration ever...

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Democrats-block-amendment-to-ensure-press-has-access-to-oil-spill-98466894.html

"Democrats refused to allow a vote today on an amendment introduced today by Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., to ensure press access to the gulf oil spill. Broun's amendment was a response to numerous reports that government authorities and BP are keeping the press away from areas affected by the spill. The amendment reads as follows:


Except in cases of imminent harm to human life, federal officials shall allow free and open access to the media of oil spill clean up activity occurring on public lands or public shorelines, including the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.



The amendment was introduced during committee markup of the CLEAR Act, or "Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act of 2009." According to the legislative text, the bill is to "provide greater efficiencies, transparency, returns, and accountability in the administration of Federal mineral and energy resources by consolidating administration of various Federal energy minerals management and leasing programs into one entity to be known as the Office of Federal Energy and Minerals Leasing of the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes."


“The media has a responsibility to not only accurately report the news but to keep everyone associated with the spill accountable. President Obama promised transparency, but we have seen numerous examples where that is not the case," said Rep. Broun in a statement. "There is no excuse for reporters and photographers to be denied access to public places unless their life is in imminent danger. This amendment is necessary in order to eliminate any confusion and ensure that First Amendment rights truly are protected.”

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