Ehrlich defends ban during TU visit

The Towerlight (Towson University paper) ^ | 12/09/2004 | Jane Valenti

[Angry Republican]

During a visit to Towson University Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich commented on the recent media controversy surrounding his relations with the Baltimore Sun and reviewed the events of the 2004 presidential election.

In professor Richard Vatz’s Persuasion class, Ehrlich explained his decision to ban state employees from speaking to two Baltimore Sun journalists.

“[The Sun] does not have a constitutionally-protected right to commit gross negligence on the front page,” Ehrlich told reporters after the class.

On Thursday, Nov. 16, the governor’s press office ordered government staff not to speak with David Nitkin, the State House Bureau Chief, or columnist Michael Olesker.

The Sun filed a lawsuit against Ehrlich in Baltimore’s U.S. District Court on Dec. 3.

Before addressing the Sun spat, Ehrlich apologized for putting the class “in the middle of this,” but called it a positive learning experience, as he directed his comments to the television cameras and news reporters in the room.

“There is a world of difference between opinion and incorrect statement of fact,” Ehrlich said. “It is perfectly fine, and a constitutionally protected right, for The Sun to print opinion pieces on the editorial pages. But you should not see opinion pieces on the front page, presented to the readers as fact.”

Ehrlich alludes to an article written by Olesker, printed in November, which indicated that the governor’s communications director Paul E. Schurick was “struggling mightily to keep a straight face” when he said pro-tourism ads featuring the governor were not meant for political gain. Olesker did not attend the event. Nitkin wrote an article about several areas of land that were being considered by the Ehrlich administration for sale. The article was printed next to a map that mistakenly identified all 450,000 acres of state-owned preservation land as being up for sale.

[Angry Republican]

I think Ehrlich has every right to do what he did. The Sun is willing to do anything to destroy him so O'Malley can easily win in 2k6.

[swilhelm73]

On what grounds does the paper have a right to sue?

As chief executive, does not the Gov of the state have the right to say what the state's employees can and cannot do in their roles as representatives of the state?

Frankly, it would be nice to have seen the President to do this to CBS after they went public with their TANG fakes.

[DCPatriot]

I don't think Ehrlich can be weakened by a SUN attack. It could hurt the SUN more.

The pajamadeen would get some practice in.

[Angry Republican]

I thought Bush was smart to keep his mouth shut about the CBS scandal. It made him look good by not acting out over the incident.

[sauropod]

No kidding.

Saint Olesker never has to face the music, does he?

[bill1952]

I agree, but children act out emotions because they have no other way in which to express themselves.

The president would have been RE acting to an unprecedented fraudulent attack on his character.

[Angry Republican]

Olesker's a good for nothing punk.

[swilhelm73]

And because the president did nothing it is doubtful that much of the public even remembers the incident or its import.

[hophead]

I just hope this case gets to court. It will be interesting to see what the liberal judges in this state have to say about the 1st Amendment. If The Sun is right, then I have every expectation that when I call the Gov's office they must talk to me too!!!