Request for public statement re: Arrest of reporters at DCTC Meeting

Reason magazine's Jim Epstein was arrested for covering taxicab commisson

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Joseph Keyerleber <joekeyer@mac.com>
Date: Fri, Jun 24, 2011 at 3:23 PM
Subject: Re: [WardOneDC] Request for public statement re: Arrest of reporters at DCTC Meeting
To: WardOneDC@yahoogroups.com

 

JIM,

I strongly agree with and support the points made by Clay Socha in his email.

The taxi meetings and other public meetings should be open to reporters and to sound and picture recording.  It is wrong to hassle, handcuff and arrest anyone for simply attempting to record and report public meetings and discussions with city officials.  The same principles apply to actions of law enforcement officials.

Sometimes people in positions of authority forget that we still live in a democratic society. 

Thank you,

Joe Keyerleber

On Jun 23, 2011, at 9:08 PM, Clay Socha wrote:

 

Councilman Graham,

I am outraged at the US Park Police's arrest of two journalists at the DC Taxicab Commission meeting and OFFENDED at Chairwoman Dena Reed's continued defense of DCTC's "no-recording" policy.  It is ludicrous to have the transparency of this organization restricted in such a way, given the long history of corruption within that specific industry and the commission itself (corruption which extended to your very own Chief of Staff, Ted Loza; Corruption uncovered by the previous DCTC Chairman Leon Swain who was replaced by the Mayor with the only reason being, "We're going in a different direction...").  With the Mayor and half the City Council under federal investigation of some kind, I don't believe it is a great time to be restricting transparency. It is certainly not what I desire and I suspect most citizens of Ward 1 would feel the same way. 

I understand the Mayor has responded reiterating his support for the Open Meetings act and I urge you to go a step further and issue a statement that specifically supports open recording of these meetings and attendance by the media (it is reported that a Washington Post reporter wasn't even allowed into the DCTC Meeting).  I also understand that CM Wells has sent a letter to Mr. Nathan urging him to investigate the matter.  I hope you strongly consider adding your name to that cause as well.

Sincerely,

Clay Socha
Ward One Resident
cwsocha@gmail.com

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