Saturday, October 29, 2011
Law and Order SouthComm CEO Ferrell: 'I Expect the Governor to Publicly Apologize'
Posted by Jim Ridley on Sat, Oct 29, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Here's the text of a letter early this morning from SouthComm CEO Chris Ferrell to Alexia Poe, director of communications for Gov. Bill Haslam, in response to the arrest last night of Scene reporter Jonathan Meador while covering the ongoing Occupy Nashville protest:
Alexia,I learned this morning that one of my reporters at the Nashville Scene was arrested last night while covering the protests at Legislative Plaza despite identifying himself as a reporter. I expect the Governor to publicly apologize to him for this violation of his rights and to assure the people of Tennessee that this administration will not interfere with the right to a free press that has been a fundamental right in this country since our founding. I'm sure you understand that every media outlet in this country will vigorously defend our right to cover government action without fear of arrest or reprisal.
Chris Ferrell, CEO, SouthComm, Inc.
For more coverage, see this article by Steven Hale, who was also covering the protests and arrests last night for the City Paper.
Comments (8)
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Considering the apology is being sought on the basis of the First Amendment, the governor should also apologize publicly to the protesters.*
*Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
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dislikeTea Party didn't have permits when the Income Tax bill was passed at 2:00 am .
The Honkers and 3 k Tea Party Republicans didn't have permits to be on the plaza protesting and clogging up downtown traffic for hours .
This only came about because people now are protesting for Jobs ,Against Wall Street. Against the 1% who pay little to no taxes .
We are a Two Caste system in America - Rich vs Poor the Middle Class has almost disappeared like our factories have disappear.
Take it from someone that was around during the VIETNAM WAR days, the next thing HASLAM will do is put "infiltrators" in the protest to cause trouble! It's the oldest trick in the book,...but fools believe it!
Scene is nothing other than a trashy tabloid sending intoxicate, mediocre high school kids called reporter to write lies about people. Scene is not in news business but tries to hide behind the first amendment when shit hits the fan.
Get real you have a history of hiring kids then giving them a press pass. You are a disgrace to the community and news organization. Close the door or get your act together
Nobody arrested the rioters in the State House they rioted, broke windows, and assaulted state employees during the Marsha Blackburn-fuled riot over the consideration of a state income tax years ago. In fact no one arrested Marsha Blackburn for inciting that riot. It's only too apparent what this is all about, it's about suppressing dissent and speech that doesn't jibe with what the right wing corporatists want. Haslam is a knee-pad wearing, cake-eating POS.
"Tea Party didn't have permits when the Income Tax bill was passed at 2:00 am .
The Honkers and 3 k Tea Party Republicans didn't have permits to be on the plaza protesting and clogging up downtown traffic for hours."
Hell, even the teachers didn't have to have a permit, when they rallied at the Plaza last spring.
