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Title: ABC News Reporter Arrested After Police Said His Camera Put “Their Lives in Danger”
Source:
Free Thought Project
URL Source: http://thefreethoughtproject.com/lo ... ographing-mouthing-off-police/
Published: May 29, 2015
Author: John Vibes
Post Date: 2015-05-29 08:48:29 by Deckard
Keywords: None
Views: 7439
Comments: 55
Baton Rouge, LA – WBRZ-TV reporter Brett Buffington was arrested on Thursday morning for attempting to take photos of a crime scene, and then later “mouthing off” to officer on the scene. Buffington was charged with interfering with an officer and intimidating a public official. The police claim that Buffington “interfered” with a burglary investigation around 2:30 in the early morning on Thursday. However, according to the police department’s version of events, Buffington was simply doing his job as a journalist and attempting to investigate a crime just as the police allegedly were. The police report stated that Buffington disobeyed police officers when they asked him to leave the area, but instead took photos. The officers said that the flash from the camera diverted their attention and put “their lives in danger.” After that Buffington was detained for a period of time, and given a summons to appear in court on a criminal offense and was again told to leave. Buffington did leave this time, however, as he was walking away, he said to the officers, “Hope you enjoy the rest of your career.” This seemed to damage the officer’s ego so bad that he arrested the journalist. Hopefully WBRZ will stand by their reporter, but the network has been unclear about their position thus far, making only the following statement: “WBRZ is working with our employee and the Baton Rouge Police Department to determine the full details of what occurred,” WBRZ News Director Chuck Bark said in an email response to The Advocate. The Baton Rouge police department has its share of unscrupulous cops. For starters, Buffington is the second person in 6 months to be arrested for recording or photographing police. In December, a Virginia man visiting a friend in Baton Rouge was thrown to the ground, assaulted and arrested after filming an officer roughing someone up. In February, the BRPD came under fire after they made a parade float mocking a woman for being raped as a child. ***** The officers said that the flash from the camera diverted their attention and put “their lives in danger.” The magic words that exonerate cops from any criminal action. First amendment? I guess these ignorant jackboots never heard of it.
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 21.
#5. To: Deckard (#0)
There was a TV reporter at a burglary scene ... in Baton Rouge ... at 2:30 in the morning? Slow crime day? Gosh. What's his next, hard-hitting news assignment -- traffic court? Unless, of course, he wasn't on assignment. Rather, he was in the area, saw the commotion, and meandered over to take some pictures. Now that he's in trouble, he's hiding behind his "reporter" status.
What is important here is that you forgetting what is important here. This is an important message from TFTP. So, don’t you ever believe for one moment that this reporter actually got in the way of the officers conducting an investigation and would not stay out of their way when asked to do so. No Sir. This is all about free speech. Yes Sir. The interrupted performance of a police officer has absolutely nothing to do with this matter. The man was a “REPORTER … REPORTER I say, and that entitled him to do anything he wants to and do it anytime he wants. FIRST AMENDMENT, you got it? Are you sure? That’s all that is important, ever. I hope I don’t have to come back here and repeat it.
All that matters to you is the cops' "feelings'. You clowns really hate the First Amendment, don't you? If only he had done like you would have done and knelt down to lick his boots. Look guys - this is what reporters do, they report news. This was news no matter how trivial whitey wants to make it.
Nope, and I don't abuse it or try to intentionally stretch it to its limits eitehr.
#23. To: Gatlin (#21)
A reporter covering a news story as part of his job is "stretching the limits" of the constitution? Now I've heard it all. Clueless.... Utterly clueless.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest"The police claim that Buffington “interfered” with a burglary investigation around 2:30 in the early morning on Thursday."
#14. To: misterwhite, Deckard (#5)
"The police claim that Buffington “interfered” with a burglary investigation around 2:30 in the early morning on Thursday."
#15. To: Gatlin, misterwhite (#14)
(Edited)
What is important here is that you forgetting what is important here.
#21. To: Deckard (#15)
You clowns really hate the First Amendment, don't you?
Replies to Comment # 21. Nope, and I don't abuse it or try to intentionally stretch it to its limits eitehr.
End Trace Mode for Comment # 21.
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