Just got this in my inbox:
"We believe that the arrests and harassment of working journalists by the police, local and federal officials at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions go against the nature of our democracy.
"Journalists have not only the right, but the duty, to be present at important events and to keep the public informed. Whether they represent independent media or mainstream outlets, they are the eyes and ears of the people. They must be respected and allowed to work wherever a story takes them.
"We decry the mass arrests, raids, and questionable tactics that the police have deployed against working journalists at these conventions. We call for the immediate release of all journalists, the dropping of charges against them, and an investigation into allegations of police misconduct."
Which calls to mind my old friend Amy Goodman's episode with the authorities. From the LATimes:
"Amy Goodman, the host of the popular radio and television program 'Democracy Now!' was at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul on Monday, interviewing members of the Alaska delegation, when her phone rang with alarming news.
"'I got a call that two of our producers had been bloodied by the police,' Goodman said. 'I did not stop running until I got to where they were.'
"...When Goodman arrived at the scene 20 minutes later, she asked the riot police if she could see her producers, who were being held in police vehicles. 'I just said, 'I want to talk to a commander,' ” said Goodman, who had her own press badge slung around her neck. 'They didn’t skip a beat; they just started arresting me.'
"The scene was captured on video -- a clip that was one the most-viewed videos on YouTube.com on Tuesday. In it, Goodman is seen pleading with the police while her arms are twisted behind her back and into plastic handcuffs.
"All four journalists were released hours after being arrested. Goodman was officially charged with obstruction of a legal process and interference with a peace officer."
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