W. Va. reporter arrested for 'yelling questions' at HHS secretary

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(05-10-2017, 01:33 PM)Benton Wrote: Depends on protocol. 

I've never been a DC area reporter, so I can't speak to that. But I have traveled with governors, senators, etc., and been in state houses, jails, courtrooms and other areas where there are very specific regulations on where you are allowed to go, where you can have electronic devices, and other restrictions. Media are often allowed access that people off the street aren't because they are representative of those people off the street... provided they follow a few guidelines. Being polite is not one I've ever encountered.

This reporter wasn't exactly new to the beat. It is possible he was intentionally pushing so he could get arrested and get a moment of fame on the other side of the camera. Sure. I find it more likely, though, that he was doing something he had probably done regularly throughout his career there, he just wasn't used to an administration that prefers a fettered press.

I've never seen any protocol where actively trying to breech Secret Service will not get you in trouble.

I will say if he were arrested for simply asking a question; then there is a problem, I have mentioned my displeasure with the way the Trump administration has dealt with the media in the past. However, the examples I remember were simply disagreeing with the validity of their stance. If we are arresting folks for simply asking questions; as the OP suggest, then we have a serious problem.