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'You're Not Allowed to Film': The Fight to Control Who Reports from Portland

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Re: 'You're Not Allowed to Film': The Fight to Control Who Reports from Portland

#21
post #11

This is the environment in which the journalism originally flourished: obtaining and reporting information that is not readily accessible otherwise, often against the wishes of the powers on the ground; and frequently being in danger while obtaining it. I am not glorifying this setup, it is horrible; but the information it provides is very valuable. Unfortunately, nowadays the journalist working on such project will…

What’s weird is that the script is flipped here, if this article is to be believed: it is the alleged “underdog” that is attempting to suppress journalistic freedom (through intimidation) to control the news narrative.

Re: 'You're Not Allowed to Film': The Fight to Control Who Reports from Portland

#22
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Go after them for what? Are they doing something illegal?

Cops have plenty of ways of going after people who haven’t committed crimes. https://projects.tampabay.com/projects/2020/investigations/p...

In other words, protestors are harassing, assaulting, and robbing reporters because they might otherwise be unjustly framed for minor crimes.

Re: 'You're Not Allowed to Film': The Fight to Control Who Reports from Portland

#23
post #17

Having done a fair share of media work on and in German protests myself: the biggest problem is that video evidence can and will be used by cops to go after activists - and that includes material from way outside a riot scene, given that police also look for such tiny details as shoes to (attempt to) identify people. The people at such events have something to lose: careers, families, friendships, years behind bars.…

That makes it no less important to be aware of any bias in reporting. If only journalists that show the protests in a flattering light are allowed to film, then this should be mentioned every time footage from the protests is shown, and any "mostly peaceful" claims can and should be dismissed as unverifiable.

> any "mostly peaceful" claims can and should be dismissed as unverifiable

I honestly thought “mostly peaceful” was a meme at this point.

With cities on fire for months and months, how can anyone take such a claim seriously?

Edit: Twitter seems to agree with me.

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23MostlyPeaceful

Re: 'You're Not Allowed to Film': The Fight to Control Who Reports from Portland

#24
post #11

This is the environment in which the journalism originally flourished: obtaining and reporting information that is not readily accessible otherwise, often against the wishes of the powers on the ground; and frequently being in danger while obtaining it. I am not glorifying this setup, it is horrible; but the information it provides is very valuable. Unfortunately, nowadays the journalist working on such project will…

Could unions and professional associations fill that gap? Why aren't they now? Where are groups like the ACLU?

It's worth noting that journalism as a profession has a problem with letting itself become political. Seems like for a journalism association to be effective in these cases, it must insist on the impartiality that most institutions seem to be finding too difficult lately.

Re: 'You're Not Allowed to Film': The Fight to Control Who Reports from Portland

#25
post #7

Having done a fair share of media work on and in German protests myself: the biggest problem is that video evidence can and will be used by cops to go after activists - and that includes material from way outside a riot scene, given that police also look for such tiny details as shoes to (attempt to) identify people. The people at such events have something to lose: careers, families, friendships, years behind bars.…

Go after them for what? Are they doing something illegal?

> Go after them for what? Are they doing something illegal?

Intimidation, blind (racist) violence, looting, attacking the police and setting property which isn’t theirs on fire.

I’m pretty sure all those things are illegal.

Re: 'You're Not Allowed to Film': The Fight to Control Who Reports from Portland

#26
post #11

This is the environment in which the journalism originally flourished: obtaining and reporting information that is not readily accessible otherwise, often against the wishes of the powers on the ground; and frequently being in danger while obtaining it. I am not glorifying this setup, it is horrible; but the information it provides is very valuable. Unfortunately, nowadays the journalist working on such project will…

What’s weird is that the script is flipped here, if this article is to be believed: it is the alleged “underdog” that is attempting to suppress journalistic freedom (through intimidation) to control the news narrative.

The script was always shaky. If there are lines of mayors, governors, millionaires, corporations, and celebrities lining up to support you, you are not an underdog. There are not similar lines to make sure a given periodical has room and support to safely provide agenda-free reporting.

Re: 'You're Not Allowed to Film': The Fight to Control Who Reports from Portland

#27
post #6

If you spend any time on the Portland subreddit, you'll see plenty of stories and comments about how the city is just fine, and only Trump fans with an agenda push a "rioting and burning narrative". It's amazing watching hypocritical narrative control in action. These are the same people pushing for police body cameras.

And is there not a selection bias at play in a subreddit? People who don't follow the majority opinions of those on a subreddit are routinely hounded down and mass downvoted until they leave, seeing it's futile to try and converse there.

Of course there is, except I'm sure a lot of the people on that subreddit are also heavily involved in "protesting". There certainly is a selection bias at play in the general population of Portland, too ;)

Edit: I also find it fascinating that the users of the Portland subreddit will shun or ban you if you are not actually in Portland, as I am sure that a lot of those folks strongly favour all immigration in general. As I said, it's a miniature picture of hypocritical narrative control in action.

Re: 'You're Not Allowed to Film': The Fight to Control Who Reports from Portland

#28

Happened to a reporter on the Key bridge in DC. https://twitter.com/DailyCaller/status/1300857489559375877 EDIT: apparently "You're not allowed to Post" also applies

The Daily Caller has been managed by Tucker Carlson, who attacks protesters on the air virtually every day. The Daily Caller is known for right-wing troll articles. There’s no chance in hell that this publication would ever portray protesters favorably.

Re: 'You're Not Allowed to Film': The Fight to Control Who Reports from Portland

#29

Happened to a reporter on the Key bridge in DC. https://twitter.com/DailyCaller/status/1300857489559375877 EDIT: apparently "You're not allowed to Post" also applies

Calling anyone from the Daily Caller a “reporter” is charitable at best.
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