[Peace-discuss] IMC Reporter Kicked Out of Press Conference

Mon Jun 11 14:10:39 CDT 2007

Surely it isn't the police who determine who is and who isn't a member of the Press! The question is, who does? Cheaper/easier to ask that question of a ref librarian than a lawyer, so I will!

  Later,
  Jenifer

Marti <tvchick at insightbb.com> wrote:
        v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}  o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}  w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}  .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}        st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }                I just got off the phone with Rene Dunn. When I asked her about what happened on Friday she told me that she is working with BD on this. I also asked her what criteria does the Champaign Police Department use to determine who is, and isn’t, a member of the press.  She told me that she would need to discuss this with Chief Finney and that she would get back to me on this.

  When law enforcement agencies are allowed to determine who is, and isn’t, a member of the press this can set a dangerous precedent. Anyone who writes for a newspaper be it the News-Gazette, the Public I, or the Daily Illini has the right to consider themselves members of the press. The same holds true for someone who writes for broadcast and cable.  What happened on Friday and the fact that Ms. Dunn managed to avoid addressing my concerns shows that the Champaign Police Department has a marked preference for reporters who will provide favorable coverage.

  If there is anyone else who feels that Chief Finney and the Champaign Police Department was wrong in refusing BD admission to the press conference I urge you to speak out. I’m open to ideas on how we can best advocate on behalf of the public right to know.

  Marti Wilkinson

---------------------------------

  From: peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net [mailto:peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net] On Behalf Of Brian Dolinar
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 5:03 PM
To: discuss at communitycourtwatch.org; stop at iresist.org; Peace Discuss
Subject: [Peace-discuss] IMC Reporter Kicked Out of Press Conference

  There was a press conference called by Champaign Police Chief R.T. Finney on Friday, June 08, 2007 at 1 p.m. This was a chance for Finney to explain to the press, and to the public, what happened the previous night in Westside Park when three Champaign police officers were shot. The officers hurt included John Murphy, Jack Armstrong, and Shannon Bridges. They were shot by Donnell Clemons, a black man who was homeless and had a history of mental illness. He could frequently be seen walking around town mumbling to himself. Officer Bridges was shot in the shoulder and a bullet pierced her left lung, but is stable. Donnell Clemons is in critical condition. 
  I walked into the press conference which was full of members from the local press. I sat down next to Steve Bauer of the News-Gazette and we said "hello" to one another. I got out my pencil and paper to take notes.
  I was then approached by Troy Daniels, Deputy Chief of the Champaign Police Department, and asked to step out of the room. At the back of the room, I told Daniels that I was a member of the press. Chief R.T. Finney then stepped up and told me I was not a legitimate member of the press. He said, "I choose who I want to talk to." I told him he could call Rene Dunn, assistant to the chief of police for community services, to confirm that I was indeed a member of the press. Finney said, "Rene Dunn works for me." 
  Rene Dunn was hired in early March to handle the press. I spoke with her several times after the March 30 incident where Champaign police sent a 17 year-old black youth to the hospital. She then verified that I was a member of the press. I was given access to the police blotter. Dunn gave me her card and she has been very forthcoming in answering my questions. 
  I talked to Dunn on the phone after the press conference and she told me it was not in the wishes of the chief that she grant me press credentials. Dunn said it was "my mistake." I asked her if Champaign supported freedom of the press. She did not answer my question.
  Troy Daniels and another officer escorted me out of the press conference like a common criminal. As we were standing outside, I had the opportunity to thank Daniels for fulfilling my FOIA requests. He has completed two of my FOIA requests that I had requested back in February. On March 1, 2007, I met personally with Chief Finney and Trisha Crowley about my FOIA requests. I told them I was a journalist for the Public i newspaper and the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center. They questioned my about my intentions and agreed to answer my FOIA in an amended form. Crowley sent me a fee waiver form to complete as a member of the press, which I signed and returned.
  Despite Finney's attempt to control the press conference, one tough question was asked by a reporter for conservative radio station WDWS 1400. He asked,  "When the officers approached the man, did they say anything to him, was there any contact with him that may have, or could have, provoked this shooting?" 
  Finney replied with contempt, "Provoking someone shooting us is an absurdly ridiculous question."
  I was kicked out of the press conference because, as an independent media journalist, I have been consistently asking tough questions of Chief Finney and the Champaign Police Department. Finney reacts as if all questions of his department are "absurdly ridiculous."  If the Champaign police department was to have its way, the local press would simply reprint their press releases.
  As Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr. says, "We've got freedom of speech – so long as you don't say the wrong thing."

Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
303 W. Locust St.
Urbana, IL 61801
briandolinar at gmail.com 

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