Gasland Creator Josh Fox Arrested at House Hearing
Funny how those who oppose drilling want there to be plenty of rules (i.e. regulations) that would govern every aspect of drilling, but when it comes to following rules themselves, they don’t want to. Witness the arrest yesterday of Josh Fox, so-called documentary film maker and creator of the anti-fracking propaganda film Gasland when he tried to film a House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee hearing without proper credentials:
An Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker was arrested at a House hearing Wednesday after trying to film the proceedings without the required media credentials.
Joshua Fox, of Milanville, Pa., was led out of the room in handcuffs and charged by Capitol Police with unlawful entry.
Democrats forced two votes, one to allow Fox to film the hearing and a second to recess the hearing for a week so that Fox could obtain credentials. Both motions were defeated on a party-line vote.
Committee Republicans issued a statement saying that committee rules state, "Personnel providing coverage by the television and radio media shall be currently accredited to the Radio and Television Correspondents’ Galleries.
"The individual removed was not accredited by the House Radio and TV Gallery and had refused to turn off his camera upon request by Capitol Police," the statement added.
The hearing was available for viewing on the committee’s Internet site, which is routine practice for most congressional committees.*
Sounds pretty innocuous doesn’t it? I mean, let the poor guy film the hearing so he can use clips out of context for his next “blockbuster” documentary. “Leave him alone!” (the Dems say).
Thing is, if you let one person skirt the rules, pretty soon it all falls apart. If MDN editor Jim Willis wanted to attend that hearing and whip out my Flip camera and start recording, the Capitol Police would surely escort me out (I’m not a member of the House Radio and TV Gallery either). Any crackpot can claim they’re making a documentary. Should they be exempt from the rules too? What about security concerns, using cameras not properly vetted that may be hiding guns? You get the idea.
The anti-drillers are fine with others following the rules, but they want to exempt themselves. Typical. Go get a membership Josh, and stop your cheesy attempts at grabbing a few more headlines. Frankly, Josh Fox has already had his 15 minutes of fame, and it’s gone. Everyone seems to know it but Josh.
*Elmira (NY) Star-Gazette/AP (Feb 1, 2012) – ‘Gasland’ director arrested at House hearing
Mr. Fox did, in fact, have permission to attend the public meeting in the people’s house. However, the GOP lawmakers and industry lobbyists who were part of the meeting decided at the last minute that he was unwelcome. Why is your side so keen on censorship of opposing views and spin?
You’re full of crap.
“if you let one person skirt the rules, pretty soon it all falls apart. If MDN editor Jim Willis wanted to attend that hearing and whip out my Flip camera and start recording, the Capitol Police would surely escort me out (I’m not a member of the House Radio and TV Gallery either). Any crackpot can claim they’re making a documentary. Should they be exempt from the rules too?”
And what exactly is this sacred rule? That a committee chairman may at his discretion prevent a a hearing from being recorded. This is the first time it’s been invoked in years! Normally, ANYONE is allowed to video public hearings. They are after all PUBLIC!! YOU wouldn’t have had a problem. It’s only Mr. Fox that had one.
And why? If you had been given $62,700 by the O&G lobby to attack the EPA, why would you let a guy like Mr. Fox record the proceedings?
Asking someone to follow the rules is not censorship.
Jim – If the public were to tape the hearing, it would be devoid of the fake, monotone, overdramatic commentary that the sky is falling hypocrites love . . . then what fun would that be for any of us?
Because of the Democratic/ Liberal radicals that would yell ” No Fracking, No Fracking” or wave signs with cross bones on them, or fall on the floor during the hearing and have to be dragged out by the Police,That’s why. I’m sure most anti’s will do anything to get their 2 cents in especially when their is a television camera in front of them, especially Mr. Fox who wants to sell DVD’s., he loves any kind of Air time he can get. Ex (The Binghamton SGEIS meeting in November). My Brothers and I sat next to the brainless wonder that had on a hazard materials suit and a gas mask, then he and a few others stood up, unraveled a sign,while there was a speaker at the mike and started yelling ” No Fracking in NY”. Of course the inconsiderate fellow and his motley crew disrupted the meeting for about 10-15 minutes while police dragged him and his crew out of there, screaming and yelling the whole way.That’s why JW. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and everyone should behave and handle themselves in a respectful manner at all public hearings. How many pro’s have been arrested and dragged out of those meetings JW? I’ll answer that one. NONE!! I was with many people from the JLCNY, who calmly stated their views to the boo’s of the Anti’s.There were many Anti’s that spoke at that meeting and no one boo’d there position. Its always the Anti’s making the most noise and causing all the drama. If they all would just behave like adults and calmly state their issues then maybe they would be taken more seriously. The Anti’s basically ruin it for themselves, and usually look idiotic pulling those type of antics in front of Public Officials.So as a retired Police Officer, its easier to ban cameras for Public safety and also to protect the integrity of the meeting so all the things I mentioned above does not happen, they just say ” NO’. How do you like it? Got a dose of your own medicine and it doesn’t sit well does it?
Too true!
He tried to follow the rules, he went through the proper application procedure but was denied clearance to film. If they didn’t have a legitimate reason for doing so, I’d certainly consider that censorship.
Simple answer, he was a security risk.
One of the problems today is that almost ANY one can call theirselves a journalist or a ‘filmmaker’.
Gasland was another mockumentry, full of bias and untruths. I wouldn’t let someone that had done something like film at a wedding and certainly not in Congress. Censorship, yep, it is, but his film is a lot like yelling ‘FIRE’ in a crowded theater.