April 20, 2006

(from TNPoliticsblog) Count me as one of the many "citizen journalists" who "barraged the [Chattanooga City] offices with questions" and focused attention on this story. Tennesseans deserve an open government accountable to the people and the reporters that shine the spotlight on the people's business.

What’s the atmosphere at City Hall now that the one trouble-making reporter has been given the boot? Are “key staff” breathing sighs of relief? Here’s the thing: they had better think twice before exhaling. What will most certainly happen now – that is, if this little column has anything to do with it – is that dozens of additional professional journalists, citizen journalists, and curious townsfolk will barrage the offices with questions: about the ban, about the stories that were being investigated, and about the relationship between the people’s right to know and the government’s duty to tell them. If Michael Weber is not allowed to ask about lobbyists and contracts, then it is upon the rest of us to make sure the line of questioning continues.
[Banned-Aid - Patching up the Michael Weber story - The Pulse - 04-19-06]

Also read:

• Chattanooga Mayor Bans Reporter - April 14, 2006
  
• Chattanooga Times Free Press Reporter Strikes Back - April 18, 2006
  
• TCOG Responds to Chattanooga Mayor's Actions - April 19, 2006
  
• Chattanooga Mayor 'held hostage' by Reporter? - April 19, 2006
  
• The Cause of a Banned Reporter - April 20, 2006