Forest Service says media needs photography permit in wilderness areas

[Newsjock]

Source: The Oregonian

The U.S. Forest Service has tightened restrictions on media coverage in vast swaths of the country's wild lands, requiring reporters to pay for a permit and get permission before shooting a photo or video in federally designated wilderness areas.

Under rules being finalized in November, a reporter who met a biologist, wildlife advocate or whistleblower alleging neglect in any of the nation's 100 million acres of wilderness would first need special approval to shoot photos or videos even on an iPhone.

Permits cost up to $1,500, says Forest Service spokesman Larry Chambers, and reporters who don't get a permit could face fines up to $1,000.

First Amendment advocates say the rules ignore press freedoms and are so vague they'd allow the Forest Service to grant permits only to favored reporters shooting videos for positive stories.

Read more: http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/09/forest_service_says_media_need.html

[snooper2]

1. This is stupid, but not as stupid as their fees LOL

Permits cost up to $1,500, says Forest Service spokesman Larry Chambers, and reporters who don't get a permit could face fines up to $1,000.


Hmm, lets do some math here

[uppityperson]

3. oh dear, what to do, what to do?

[TheBlackAdder]

2. I guess they don't want a visual record to compare and highlight future devastation. nt

[Orsino]

4. Eventually, the process will be streamlined...

...and the Koch brothers will simply copyright any remaining trees.

[appal_jack]

5. Must be their new plan to fight climate change.

The USFS clearly intends to stop global warming by putting a nation-wide chilling effect on the First Amendment.



Gotta laugh,, otherwise I'd cry...

k&r,

-app

[McCamy Taylor]

6. Do tourists have to pay? If you post a photo online do you have to pay?

If you stumble across the forest rangers illegal marijuana patch, do you have to pay him $1000 to photograph it?