Homeland Security Will Embed Reporters for Disaster Reporting

[Robbien]

Reporters will be embedded with the government during natural disasters, according to a plan outlined by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff at the Radio-Television News Directors Association convention in Las Vegas.

Chertoff said that it is not a battleground so "we're not going to be censoring information." But he also said that he doesn't want "interference with our physical operations," according to RTNDA.

The administration came in for some heavy criticism from the media during its handling, or arguably mishandling, of the Katrina Hurricane crisis. Often, reporters seemed to know more about what was happening on the ground than the administration did, which led to some high-profile frustration from the journalists, most notably CNN's Anderson Cooper.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6328620.html?display=Breaking+News

[aquart]

1. Uh huh.

Because "embedding" has such a great reputation.

[radfringe]

2. headline is wrong

shouldn't it read ..

Reporters Will be IN BED with Homeland Security for Disaster Reporting

[leveymg]

7. It might read, if they get their way:

Unimbedded Reporters Shot in Hurricane Zone.

September 28. Miami. AP.

DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff announced today that the federal government will not prosecute Sheriff's Deputies who allegedly opened fired on an independent news crew, killing four reporters and camera operators covering hurricane damage in Miami. Chertoff said that the persons killed were inside a federally mandated disaster area without authorization.

"There were no authorized media in that area. The cameras they were holding looked like looted cameras to the sheriffs. The officers had orders to shoot looters, so they had authorization under the emergency decree to act as they did."

Previous statements from DHS and local officials had asserted that officers opened fire on the camera crew mistaking their camera equipment for rocket launchers. No terrorist links have been confirmed for the journalists killed. "We are still investigating these persons and their organizations", Chertoff remarked.

[Mythsaje]

3. Those journalists were OUT OF CONTROL

Must establish control. Must establish control.

Next time a disaster hits, we need citizens with video and still cameras ON THE GROUND.

It's obvious they don't believe they've corrupted the press enough...they want more control.

Not for censorship...

Sure, I believe that.

Is the sarcasm smiley really necessary here?

[Minnesota Libra]

4. Embed Reporters so we don't find out how bad the feds screw up nt

[madrchsod]

5. sounds like the commies...

making sure no one knew of the extent of their natural and man made disasters...china and russia has praticed this for years and still are. i guess the whitehouse is just catching up. do you ever get the feeling these guys are not going to leave in 2008.no matter the out come of the election?

[fooj]

6. So that means the reporters will be there 2-3 days late, eh?

Asshole.

[sandnsea]

8. government "minders"

How long is America going to put up with this.

[Robbien]

9. I wonder if news stations will put up with it

Covering weather is a big deal with those guys. You can see them all gearing up for the new hurricane season. CNN just did a piece on their new hurricane Hummer.

Oh heck, what am I thinking. Of course they will agree like the good little lapdogs they are.

[Disturbed]

10. In bedded Reporters.

The Neo Fascist Regime of Busholini has learned it's lesson from Katrina. Uncensored TV is the enemey.

[mmonk]

11. Yep, in bed reporters.

I've had enough of them.

[izzie]

12. Give me a brake. I do not like this 'King' and will not vote for him

Already he has each states setting up some type if spy thing. Are they all crazy down in DC or what?