A News & Observer reporter was temporarily denied entry today to public meetings of the state Board of Transportation after two security officers said they were told the department's public information office had to be notified before any reporters could enter.
"Anything that has to do with the newspapers, TV, media we have to call (the office) before we can let you go back there," one of the security officers said.
The state's public meetings laws state that "each official meeting of a public body shall be open to the public, and any person is entitled to attend such a meeting."
There is nothing in the law that allows public agencies to delay someone's attendance until public information officers are notified.
Ernie Seneca, the department's chief public information officer, said the policy was not intended to bar or intimidate reporters trying to cover public meetings. He said the intent was for security officers to give his office a "heads up" when reporters enter the building.
Comments
Re: DOT delays entry to public meetings
May 28, 2008 - 1:11pm — SubwayScoundrelJust catching this but having a reporter clarify who they are is no difference than the private sector. WHere I work,if you enter the building past security and not tell them you are a reporter and they find out, they will boot you in the behind faster than you can say "Ouch." Public or private does not matter. If you are the press, state so at the beginning and if you have to wait a few moments,so be it. It may be a public building but does not give anyone a free pass.
Re: DOT delays entry to public meetings
February 7, 2008 - 6:17pm — ryanteaguebeckwithThe guard asked for identification.
Anyway, a reporter should not have to pretend not to be a reporter to get into a public meeting.
— RTB
Re: DOT delays entry to public meetings
February 7, 2008 - 4:10pm — j1c2kpErnie, Ernie, Ernie, why do you need a heads up? Need to hide something? Puleeeze this is a state building owned by the people of NC and a public meeting. Starting to sound like we're going communist Ernie.
Re: DOT delays entry to public meetings
February 7, 2008 - 9:34am — Isaac136I would guess that DOT has had its fair share of nut-jobs waltzing through and demanding the occasional pound of flesh from the building's tenants.
You ask what they do with the info?
First, the photos are all put in a dark blue scrap-book that bears the state seal on the cover. This scrap book is photocopied and distributed throughout state government, along with descriptive profiles of the subjects, such as whether they use hair gel, speak with a northern accent or wear birkenstocks. Every six months, the scrapbook is annotated with extra tidbits, such as whether the subject has revisited state offices, sent angry emails or frequented the express checkout at Wholefoods with more than fifteen items. Special highlighting is used for folks who are known to honk at intersections if motorists don't move when the light turns green.
What we've learned from this little todo at DOT is that Ernie Seneca, DOT spokesman, is skipping the DOT Board meetings unless the presence of a reporter tips him off that something important is actually being discussed. Get yer feet off the desk, Ernie, and do your own reconnaissance work on those reporters!
Re: DOT delays entry to public meetings
February 7, 2008 - 6:48am — MeckDeckWhy would anyone comply with such foolishness? What do they do with the info? With the pictures? This is not the Pentagon.
The reporter should swear out a warrant for kidnapping.
JAT
Re: DOT delays entry to public meetings
February 6, 2008 - 1:59pm — Isaac136There are security guards for the entire DOT building. Very common now, all over state government, but I think DOT had them even before 9/11. Apparently, lots of people don't like DOT. Anyway, to get into the building you have to fill out a form, have your picture taken, show them your driver's license, etc . . . .
What surprises me is that Ernie would be so bone-headed that he would allow the security guards to think they should actually DETAIN the reporter until Ernie could be notified as opposed to giving Ernie a discreet message that a reporter had shown up. Clumsy, clumsy, clumsy.
Makes Ernie look kind of clownish, and the DOT look, as usual, as though they were hiding something. Great work, Ernie!!
Re: DOT delays entry to public meetings
February 6, 2008 - 1:50pm — MeckDeckAhem, why are there security officers at a BOT meeting? Seriously. What in the world is the possible threat? Public building? Again, what is the possible threat?
What is the policy on bloggers?
Why did the reporter self-ID as a reporter?
Does anyone stop to think any more?
JAT