Obama Admin Issues Rules "EXPRESSLY FORBIDDING" Press

NC Reporters have received "Rules" from the Federal Govt. on what and where they can cover things. These "Rules" have been sent to every media outlet in NC.

http://www.mattcave.us/pages/mattsblog.html

(snip)
Obama Administration Suspends Free Press...

... well, they put out the 'rules' to such ends, but will the media follow them?

A lot of things come across my desk day to day, but a recent 'Rules" memo from the US Census Bureau, which operates under the Obama Administration, caused me great pause.

Here's what it said:

"Good afternoon,

Attached is a document which details the rules for journalists with regard to the coverage of field census takers during the door to door operation which begins tomorrow, Saturday May 1.

Please note journalists are EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN TO FOLLOW A CENSUS WORKER WHILE HE/SHE IS IN THE FIELD ON OFFICIAL CENSUS BUSINESS.

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Wait just a minute!!! Where did they get the idea that "journalists are EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN" to do anything, especially when it involves 'covering' government operations?

(The Census officials put the emphasis on the CAPPED words, not me. They were block lettered in the "Rules" sheet memo.)

Here's the email response I got.

"This is not a prank.
Enumerators have been instructed to stop their work and notify their supervisor if media/press are in the area.
I understand why you would think this is a joke (I am a former 12 TV reporter, but I understand the reason why). The reason why we do this is to ensure no one individual or neighborhood is identified. Title 13 of the United States Code ensure that all information collected is confidential out of sight of any one individual or individuals. This would include the media.
The streets are public however the interactions between enumerators and those they are administering the census questionnaires are not."

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Obama Census Bureau - "...journalists are EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN TO FOLLOW A CENSUS WORKER WHILE HE/SHE IS IN THE FIELD ON OFFICIAL CENSUS BUSINESS."

US Constitution: "Congress shall make no law... prohibiting the free exercise... or abridging the freedom of... the press..."

Much more on link:
http://www.mattcave.us/pages/mattsblog.html