Green screen: Should activists be welcome at news conferences?
ST. LOUIS — State Auditor Susan Montee’s news conference on Tuesday lasted well over an hour, but it wasn’t because reporters were peppering her with questions.
Instead, many of the questions — and discourse– came from members of the local Green Party, whose petition drive launched the $1 million inquiry of the books at City Hall.
The Green Party officials expressed their disappointment at Montee’s mild criticism of the city’s lead paint poisoning prevention program, which Montee praised as “fairly successful, or very successful, depending on how you look at it.”
As seen above, the news conference, at times, became somewhat heated. Other times, the Green Party, along with members of the city teacher’s union, used the question and answer session to provide extended commentary of their own.
It brings up an interesting question: Should activists be welcome at news conferences?
On the one hand, they have as much right as any taxpayer to question their public officials. On the other, time is a critical factor for reporters trying to make deadline or the evening news. Extended discussion from those with a political agenda can make that difficult.
Either way, the Green Party has more to say on the results of Montee’s audit — they’ll hold a press conference of their own this afternoon at City Hall.
Meanwhile, answer our poll question below.
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Sure they should be allowed — but they need to realize that the world doesnt evolve around them and their cause alone. Its not their personal soap box… Its not all about me, me, me….Instead of acting like a 2 yrs old crying ”look at me, look at me, see me see”, they need to act like adults and respect others accordingly. If they cant then the should be banned. If you require a private soap box then do it in the street if you cant behave.
they can go, but the questions are from the media and the info is for media to dessiminate. They can have their own press conference for their point of view. Lazy activism.
Yes, what KarenA said.
Larry, if members of the media always asked the good questions I would agree with you. However, sometimes activists have taken the time to really research the underlying issue and thus know what questions need to be answered. On the contrary to what you said, “lazy activism” would be to sit at home and wait for the nightly news to cover the topic.
However, they shouldn’t be allowed to dominate or become argumentative. They need to remain professional.
I guess I should say no ONE person–activist or reporter–should be allowed to dominate.
……….I pretty much agree with the all of the previous posters. I don’t want to see anyone barred from a press conference, but real reporters should get to ask questions first. Questions from activist groups should be questions, not long winded diatribes.
A conditional “Yes”. While local activists may be one thing, and given that sometimes the local media may not feel inclined to pursue a particular line of questioning as much as a special interest group, I can see abuse by “professional” gadflies.
After all there is such a thing as intelligent and incisive questioning, then there are those who delight is raising issues just to be raising the issue. These latter have no interest in generating intelligent discussion, just trumpeting their favorite point ad nauseam.
No one should be barred from attending an open press event, but that doesn’t mean the press has to pay them any attention. If they get out of hand or try to monopolize the discussion, a moderator should cut them off. If activists or other other interested parties think the issue demands more attention, the by all means, hold another press conference.
Unfortunately the leaders of the teachers union in the city and the green party are dangerous. These guys don’t listen to logic or reasoning and cannot be taken seriously. They are conspiracy theorists and are very likely to be dangerous. The post-dispatch and local tv and radio need to stop giving these mentally unstable people a bull horn. These monsters are created by a local media that gives them a voice. When there is another tradegy like in Kirkwood, we know who to blame.