Carla Marinucci In Hot Water With White House Over Protest Song Video

SAN FRANCISCO -- When a San Francisco Chronicle reporter put down her pen and picked up a video camera, the White House says she broke the rules. The newspaper says the Obama administration needs to join the 21st century.

The dust-up stems from a surprise protest last week during President Barack Obama's speech at a private fundraising breakfast.

Reporter Carla Marinucci had White House permission to cover the event if she shared her notes with other reporters.

Marinucci also posted video of the protest online. Officials say that violated the terms of her access.

Chronicle Editor Ward Bushee said Friday the White House threatened to bar Marinucci from future presidential appearances. The White House denies the threat.

The conflict highlights the perils of trying to enforce traditional rules in the modern media environment.

Comments

[Transit]

05:37 AM on 05/01/2011

She merely played "scoop journalism" after she and the other invited journalists agreed (in writing I understand) not to take pictures or videos at the private fundraiser. The others held to their pledge while she posted the video she took on her web site. There was no attempted "coverup" of the short singing protest. In fact, the other journalists wrote about it as well along with what the President spoke about at the event.

She and her editors, however, apparently decided to focus mainly on the short-lived protest and the fact that she was reprimanded by the white house staff for her actions.

The story has absolutely nothing to do with transparency or hindering a reporter from doing their job. Defending the First Ammendment is a noble task but I wonder if upon covering the "no cameras allowed" US Supreme Court session they would also violate those rules in order to get a scoop.

[Beelzabubba]

09:09 AM on 04/30/2011

Dissent is not patriotic, especially when caught on tape.

[Robearbeach]

10:40 PM on 04/29/2011

President transparency has turned out to be a bit Nixonian.