The Atlanta Press Club has sent a letter to Gov. Nathan Deal expressing concern with the recent exclusion of a local television station from the signing of a piece of legislation because they had run a story noting a clear conflict of interest (Deal had paid his daughter’s fundraising company $90,000 during his campaign):
We want to express our concern that your office used the Georgia State Troopers and police to keep a member of the media out of a news conference on Friday, May 13th.
We consider this action a disregard of the constitutional right of freedom of the press. Selective exclusion from a public press event, and enforcing that exclusion using taxpayer-funded state law enforcement, sets a dangerous precedent. It is unacceptable in a free and open society. And it is contrary to the rights granted by the First Amendment and the values endorsed by the Georgia Open Records Act.
We would like your assurance that this was an unfortunate, unprofessional and isolated incident and that journalists don’t have to fear access restriction by state troopers or police under your administration.
Sadly, there is nothing but silence from Deal and his staff.
The APC should be concerned by this type of activity by the new governor. This is a clear endangerment to the freedom of the press. It sounds like Mr. Deal can’t take a little heat in the kitchen. This is the kind of activity we see in many small towns across the south and it is not professional at all. The TV station involved has a clear case for the courts if it so desires.