Recently, I felt Vice President Joe Biden was unfairly quoted in a speech that he gave at the University of Maryland on domestic violence. I am less supportive however about what followed the speech. A Biden aide proceeded to threaten a student journalist about taking pictures of Biden and Dana Rosenzweig proceeded to demand that the student delete his pictures and show her his cellphone. While the Biden office has apologized to the university, it is unclear why this staffer still has a job after such a thuggish confrontation with a journalist. It is doubtful that she would have done this with someone from USA Today or the New York Times. The Biden staff have been accused of limiting press and interviews due to the Vice President’s reputation as a perpetual gaffe-machine in public comments.
Jeremy Barr is a credentialed student journalist from the respected Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland. He had been snapping pictures of Biden and suddenly found himself facing an irate Rosenzweig. She reportedly demanded “Did you take any photos during the event . . . I need to see your camera right now.” She then made him delete his photos and to show her his iPhone to confirm he did not save any of the photos. Barr complied and neither Biden’s Press Secretary Kendra Barkoff not Rosenzweig would speak on the record after the confrontation.
It was not until a formal complaint was lodged by the Phillip Merrill College of Journalism’s dean, Lucy A. Dalglish that Biden’s office responded. Dalglish rightfully called the incident “pure intimidation.”
Barkoff later insisted to Dalglish (still not making any public comment) that the incident was a “total miscommunication.” Miscommunication? A miscommunication is sending press to the wrong bus. Forcing the deletion of photos and search a journalist’s iPhone is a bit more than a miscommunication. It is an act of intimidation and abuse. So why is there no confirmation of Rosenzweig being disciplined? Even if this reporter was sitting in the non-press section, he identified himself. Moreover, I would be equally upset with citizens being treated in this fashion.
Biden’s staff has previously been criticized for their efforts to protect him from the media, like locking a reporter in a storage room.
Frankly, I am bothered by any politicians banning photos and recording of public speeches. This also includes justices like Scalia who use federal marshals against citizens and reporters.
Source: CBS
I would have loved to be that student.
Staffer: Did you take photos of the Vice President?
Me: Yes
Staffer: Will you delete those files
Me: No
Staffer: Show me your files
Me: Get a search warrant or go to hell, and I would prefer the latter.
The only reason they even apologised, (which was not a valid one in my view) was because they were confronted by someone they considered capable of taking them on. The censorship happens more frequently than many would imagine.
Arrogance respects no political boundaries. Never has; never will.
jAMES in La:
Well, yes James, I have a job so people are telling me what to do all the time and the better I do it, the more money I make.
I am curious how you equate freedom and 3rd grade. I suppose you would prefer being in a society where every step you take is mapped out for you? There is security in that and timid souls and those who did what they were told in 3rd grade would fit right in.
Some of us are grown up enough to enjoy being autonomous.
I am not defending the conduct, which I agree constituted a First Amendment violation. However, I think omissions in the underlying reporting erroneously suggest a desire to stop photographs from being taken of the event. According to other sources,there was some confusion as to where press was seated, and the photographer was directed to seating a few feet closer to the action in error. The staff person stated that this would give the photographer an unfair advantage over the other photographers covering the event. I haven’t seen any stories suggesting that he was in a position to cover events which were not openly being photographed by other members of the press.
I am just amazed that the defenders of corruption are not defending this illegal seizure of person and property.
Bron whines, “I just dont like people telling me what I can and cannot do.”
Welcome to real life, Bron, just chock full of those things you do not want to do, particularly when they might — god forbid — benefit someone who isn’t you.
You are now free to return to the 3rd grade recess of your mind.
When I was a line pilot, I was always outraged at management and/or chief pilots handing out discipline and penalties without hearing from the pilot FIRST to learn their side. Now I am a chief pilot, I do not forget my experiences, so before I jump on any staffer, I have to know the other side of the story FIRST. Absent that, I cannot take sides on this. There are many reasons that can be given that I can think of under which the staffer may have had good reason to act as she did. I have no idea if the person was making loud comments on the side, had a sign that he was waving, etc.. Those are just a few of some things that would legitimately provoke such a response.
The staffer was obviously good enough to provide her name, so he sure was not bullied nor did she assault him. How not taking photos can be construed as surpression is a bit beyond me since the reporter had full access to what Biden said which is of FAR more importance. I DO know that taking photos in some areas and at some distances such as airports ARE FORBIDDEN. So the staffer may well have gotten the word that no photos were to be allowed within a certain distance, and THAT would be the miscommunication as to the distances allowed.
I am rather amused that lawyers who should know better, jump to conclusions before hearing all the facts and the sides to a story. Sorry, but I insist on not prejudging things before I hear from all sides.
We know the staffers are all really just wimpy bullies from watching VEEP on HBO.
You tell the staffer to “Go shit in your hat” and walk away.
Anyone know what Biden thinks about drone attacks in Pakistan?
The UN is now on record saying they are illegal:
(Huffpo).
Things you can record and photograph: Public events; politicians speaking; holders of public office in public speaking; etc.
Things you should not record and photograph: Pubic events, uncomfortable medical treatments, cats.
thedisco:
I just dont like people telling me what I can and cannot do. I dont care if they are DEM or GOP. I dislike both parties equally to the extent they limit my freedom of action. And yes there are legitimate limitations on actions an individual can take.
I cant bring to mind any republicans I agree with, maybe Rand Paul as an off the top of my head pick. There might be some others.
in my lexicon, I define liberal as anyone who believes in government doing for people what they can do for themselves. Sharing the wealth, health care, that type of thing. In other words people who believe in government vs. a free people doing things for themselves and using their minds to make rational choices based on what is best for them.
So in that respect, I would say many journalists are liberals and so are many republicans, I call them neo-cons. You could call them corporatists as well.
Bloomberg is a good example of a liberal, a paternalistic a**hat who thinks he knows what is good for the little people.
What Elaine said.
That myth, that meme was started by Atwood, a propagandist for Nixon:
(Origin Of The “Liberal Media” Meme). The corporate media may be trying to weaken Biden so he does not run for president.
Don’t trip over yourself Bron, its not just a “liberal” problem – considering Obama is hardly a liberal in most cases, just not as extreme to the right as the GOP. Both sides abuse their power in equal measure and they will continue to win as long as you engage in your petty partisan bickering.
Bron,
Liberal media? It’s corporate media.
Well it’s starting to look like a dictatorship. I understand their quite thin-skinned over at 1600 as well. One report on the news indicated that this staffer usually didn’t interact with the press. Doh! I can’t imagine why. Like you Prof., I still don’t understand why she has a job. It would be best to keep her at home during the next trip.
I also love the “miscommunication” blurb. Maybe she was to go around and have everyone delete their photos and recordings. Since she didn’t, maybe that was the “miscommunication”?
we have a criminal administration being enabled by the liberal media and many liberals in general.
Shades of Stalin’s Russia, the useful idiots are falling all over themselves to make sure no bad publicity comes to this administration. Thank god for the internet and citizen journalists or we wouldnt even know what was going on.
Good for the dean.
Great to see the Most Transparent Administration In History in all its open glory.
When the state…. Is supreme….you shall have no equal….. See how it worked for the Weimar historians…..