NY press group protests prosecutor barring journalists
ALBANY, N.Y. — An organization of New York newspapers and broadcasters has protested a prosecutor’s decision to exclude some journalists from a news conference following the acquittal of a former soccer coach charged with murder.
The New York State Associated Press Association said in a letter Monday to St. Lawrence County District Attorney Mary Rain that she violated the 1st Amendment right of the press to cover public officials when she barred Watertown Daily Times reporter William Eckert and photographer Jason Hunter.
The association said that decision “denied some citizens the right to equal access to information” about the verdict in favour of Oral “Nick” Hillary on Sept. 28.
Rain said at the time that Eckert was excluded from what she described as an invitation-only session because she took issue with his reporting. The newspaper has protested and demanded an apology.