Liberty's Blog

Scalia Apologizes for Reporters' audio

EditorandPublisher.com - Information Authority for the Newspaper Industry Two reporters had their tapes seized by Federal Marshals When they recorded a speech given by Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has apologized to the two reporters whose audio recorders were seized during a speech that the Justice gave last week at a high school in Hattiesburg, Miss.
In a letter to Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Executive Director Lucy Dalglish, Scalia said he didn't approve of the actions by a U.S. Marshal, who seized the recorders and ordered the recordings erased. "You were correct that the action was not taken at my direction; I was upset as you were," Scalia wrote. "I have written to the reporters involved, extending my apology."

The reporters are employees of The Associated Press and the Hattiesburg American.

Ok, mistakes were made. Not much damage done, other than some hurt feelings, and some reporters getting a taste of the brownboots. Its ironic when you think of the Supreme Court suposed to be the protectors of our rights.

Scalia also told Dalglish that he would revise his policy forbidding recordings of his public speaking events to allow recording for use by print media.

"We greatly appreciate Justice Scalia's prompt response to our letter," Dalglish said, in a statement. She did express disappointment that Scalia said he would not change his policy regarding television and radio recordings.

"The electronic media in the past respected my First Amendment right not to speak on radio or television when I do not wish to do so, and I am sure that courtesy will continue," Scalia wrote.

What is Scallia so afraid of? Is he afraid that someone will hear in his own words what he actually believes?

posted by Liberty @ 6:30 AM