It was a story the news media largely overlooked last week, just before the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The US Coast Guard announced that a 65-square foot "safety zone" would be put in place against unauthorized persons to protect clean-up efforts in the Gulf. Photographers and reporters are among the first critics of the rule, because it bars them from getting close enough to effectively report on the spill. Why did BP put a safety zone in place now? Is it becoming harder for journalists to report on the impact of one of the biggest environmental disasters in US history? Is the government doing enough to protect the public's right to know?
New Coast Guard Rules Hampering Coverage in the Gulf
Credits
Guests:
- Chris Kirkham - Los Angeles Times - @c_kirkham
- Bob Carey - President, National Press Photographers Association
- Jim McPherson - Spokesman, US Coast Guard
- Bryan Walsh - Axios correspondent covering emerging technology and global trends - @bryanrwalsh
- Monique Harden - Co-director, Advocates for Environmental Human Rights
- Gary Bostwick - First Amendment litigator