Indymedia booted from Sen. Coleman's "press availability"

n Oct. 9 press release from campaign staffer Tom Erickson said that Sen. Norm Coleman would "hold a media availability" Friday morning. But when I arrived, Chuck Olsen of the citizen-videoblogging group The Uptake had already been refused entry. When I tried to enter, Erickson barred me entry, stating that the event, held in Coleman's campaign office was for "legitimate" media only. As journalists from local media streamed past -- Star Tribune columnist Nick Coleman, MinnPost reporter Joe Kimball, TPT host Eric Eskola -- Coleman staffers refused to share what criteria it used to determine what makes a news operation legit.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• mnpolitics

[leifutne]

Great work, Paul and Chuck. Way to stand your ground. And I'm disappointed by Eric Eskola's response, too.

[eyeteethblog]

I was disappointed by Eric Eskola's comments too. "No opinion" on whether MnIndy and Uptake are "legitimate" media? Well: get one.

[PamRColby]

This is a very critical issue. I am very disappointed in the local public television reporter not having an opinion.

What a shame!!

Thank YOU Uptake!!

Pam Colby

Minneapolis Television Network

[s4xton]

Why would they try to keep press out of a conference where Coleman decries negative campaigning? Fishy fishy.

[thedeets]

"I appreciate you saying that I'm welcome to leave." LOL