Posted on 10/29/2010 8:18:17 PM PDT by kristinn
Irony reaches new heights at Comedy Central is going to “strictly prohibit filming” of the Rally to Restore Sanity/March to Keep Fear Alive. PJTV’s Washington Bureau chief Richard Pollock inquired with the Comedy Central’s senior vice president of corporate communications Steve Albani about receiving credentials. Albani claimed that Pollock would not be given credentials because of limited supply, and as such there would be no room on the “press riser” for PJTV’s camera and crew. When Pollock said that he’d be fine with filming not on the press riser, Albani said that filming would be “strictly prohibited” between 3rd and 7th streets on the National Mall (ground zero for the event). The email exchange is further down.
SNIP
From: “Albani, Steve”
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:59:27 -0400
To: Richard Pollock
Subject: RE: DC Rally Update
Richard – you should have received notification yesterday. Unfortunately, due to extremely limited riser locations, we are not able to accommodate your request for credentials. However, the event is free and open to public so we encourage you to attend with the general audience.
Please note, taping for television or any other filming is strictly prohibited between 3rd and 7th Street without a media credential. The event will be broadcast live on Comedy Central and comedycentral.com and a clean feed will also be available by satellite – coordinates will be released when they are available. Please contact Renata Luczak to receive the satellite coordinates.
SNIP
From: “Richard Pollock”
Date: Oct 29, 2010 6:33 PM
Subject: RE: DC Rally Update
To: “Albani, Steve”
Hi Steve,
Well your risers, you own. As Comedy Central, you have property rights and complete control over that. No one will deny you that. We are content, though disappointed with your decision to withhold media credentials to us.
However, the last I heard the First Amendment still does apply to America. It not only applies to TV hosts, show producers and to networks, but extends to the public and to events held on federal land. Yes, public lands! Although it may not make any sense to you at this moment, the National Mall is not a TV set, although it may look like one.
As the former chief Washington producer for ABC’s “Good Morning America” for nine years, let me assure you that you cannot bar cameras from public walkways on the Mall. It has never happened.
And so we will be there crew and all.
It does seem a bit incredulous that a rally for “reasonableness” should exclude freely based camera crews exercising their First Amendment rights to cover your attendees walking on public property. Unless this is Prague in 1968. And unless Comedy Central own tanks. Or unless it deploys a Comedy Police with enforcement powers.
On the other hand maybe I got this all wrong…I thought you were merely trying to be clever when you said it was a rally for fear. If is that, then I certainly understand your attitudes and rules.
See you tomorrow!
All the best,
Richard
Ha! You tell ‘em Richard!
Cockroaches trying to ban light bulbs.
They’re Fascists, pure and simple.
Socialist like Stewart think it is entirely reasonable to imprison people who oppose their totalitarian agenda and to force every person on earth into their version of heaven on earth.
Some of us would disagree to our last breath and bullet.
Good Lord
Comedy Central doesn’t want the public to see just how hateful their followers/viewers intend to be at the rally. I really can’t wait to see them make complete fools of themselves.
Idiots who watch TV support these evil rats. Without viewers, Jon Stewart would be a nobody.
We need about 100 folks in brown shirts and leather marching to a goose step with Obama arm patches.
Wonder if the Joker will make a special appearance?
I don’t care what you think, I think it’s funny. :)
They don’t want the comparison shots of their crowd vs Beck’s. Let 10,000 cell phones document the stupidity.
Public place, no “reasonable expectation of privacy” — record (audio, still, video) whatever you want.
I believe this means the Insanity group will try to line the outer edge of their ‘group’ with people holding large signs to blot out the view. And then someone will push someone else - and someone will shove back...and then.......
Wouldn’t want any video evidence of, say...racial epithets being used...
This isn’t satire????
Yeah I was looking for the satire tag too!
Let 1000 patriots show up with video cameras to oppose this attempted tyranny!
Great response, Richard!
bump
They don’t want the world to see that free bussing, food etc. doesn’t bring out a crowd like it used to.
I’ve seen a few posts on other threads referring to a lack of porta potties for the event. What gives?
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