BP Denies Blocking The Media From Covering The Spill, Reporter Is Harrassed On A Public Beach

[jus_the_facts]

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/06/12/bp-block-reporter-beach/

Days After BP Denies Blocking The Media From Covering The Spill, Reporter Is Harrassed On A Public Beach


In response to numerous media reports that BP has been blocking journalists from covering the oil spill and speaking with clean-up workers, BP CEO Doug Suttles issued a letter on Wednesday saying that such reports were “untrue” and reporters should have full access:

Recent media reports have suggested that individuals involved in the cleanup operation have been prohibited from speaking to the media, and this is simply untrue. BP fully supports and defends all individuals rights to share their personal thoughts and experiences with journalists if they so choose.

BP has not and will not prevent anyone working in the cleanup operation from sharing his or her own experiences or opinions.

However, this message isn’t being strictly enforced. Yesterday, WDSU, the NBC affiliate in New Orleans, tried to speak with clean-up crews on an oil-stained portion of Grand Isle, Louisiana. Private security officials confronted reporter Scott Walker and said he couldn’t even have access to the public beach. From the exchange:

.......this isn't at all surprising...the exchange is extremely interesting though. :yoiks:

[lob1]

1. Wow, I don't get this at all. The officials won't say who

they work for, so by what authority can they tell anyone to do anything on a public beach?

[cwydro]

2. Rec

Everything BP says is a lie.

[jus_the_facts]

4. Yep....

...how're you doin' in Florida these days? :hi:

[cwydro]

6. Worried. Sickened. Outraged.

Very.

[jus_the_facts]

7. I feel exactly the same.....

.....guess we'd better get used to it, as this isn't goin' to go away, although BP would like us to think it is... :pals:

[cwydro]

12. No, it is going to be much much worse.

I really think the Gulf is going to be a dead zone...and all the coastlines around it.

God help us if a hurricane comes...

[jus_the_facts]

15. I totally agree.....any strong storms will make this even more horrific....

....you take care, my dear. I know that's a lot easier said than done though. :hug:

[TexasObserver]

3. recommend

[Robbien]

5. "BP has not and will not prevent anyone. . .from sharing his or her own experiences or opinions."

Dear BP

The knowledge of the existence of thousands, tens of thousands (surely more)of nondisclosure agreements mean anyone is gonna believe you?

Signed, John Q Public

[nashville_brook]

8. BP is also "disappearing" wildlife carcasses --> Alternet

BP Censoring Media, Destroying Evidence
BP is using federal agencies to shield itself from public accountability and is actually disappearing oiled wildlife.

http://www.alternet.org/environment/147185/bp_censoring_media,_destroying_evidence?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=alternet

(snip)

CBS 60 Minutes Australia found entire sections of boom hung up in marsh grasses two feet above the water off Venice. On the same day on the other side of Barataria Bay, Louisiana Bayoukeeper documented pools of oil and oiled pelicans inside the boom - on the supposedly protected landward side - of Queen Bess Island off Grand Isle.

With oil undisputedly hitting the beaches and the number of dead wildlife mounting, BP is switching tactics. In Orange Beach, people told me BP wouldn't let them collect carcasses. Instead, the company was raking up carcasses of oiled seabirds. "The heads separate from the bodies," one upset resident told me. "There's no way those birds are going to be autopsied. BP is destroying evidence!"

The body count of affected wildlife is crucial to prove the harm caused by the spill, and also serves as an invaluable tool to evaluate damages to public property - the dolphins, sea turtles, whales, sea birds, fish, and more, that are owned by the American public. Disappeared body counts means disappeared damages - and disappeared liability for BP. BP should not be collecting carcasses. The job should be given to NOAA, a federal agency, and volunteers, as was done during the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska.

[jus_the_facts]

11. Not surprising either.....it will only get worse.... thanks for posting this. n/t

[Dappleganger]

9. Fuck BP and anyone who defends them!

If that makes you feel uncomfortable in the least, that's your sign that you're a corpoRAT whore.

[Kablooie]

10. Some undercover reporter could make a great career for himself...

by getting a job as a BP cleanup employee and keep an undercover camera going.

He just needs one of these:

http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=Spy+Car+Key+Chain+Camera+DVR+covert&_sacat=&_ex_kw=&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_sop=12

[jus_the_facts]

13. I hope there are already some moles out there...n/t

[Taitertots]

14. They won't "stop" you

They will just fire you and sue you afterward. BP won't prevent you, but they will attack you afterward.

[WinkyDink]

16. OPERATIVE PHRASE: Private security officials. THIS is the first line of the Fascists' defense.