Law Officers Harrass, Arrest ABC News Producer
Today, a nod to digital journalists and the cops who try to stop them from doing their jobs. Also, a Colbert-esque wag of the finger at the Denver Police Department and the Boulder County Sheriff's Office for what appears to be a touch of thuggery in their actions against an ABC News producer yesterday.
According to ABC News' own website, producer Asa Eslocker was arrested for doing his job, covering
The video shows one officer (note the Boulder County Sheriff's Office uniform) shoving Eslocker into a street and (among other things) then telling Eslocker he was blocking traffic. Here's what it doesn't show: the events leading up to the situation. Kudos to ABC News for including at least a little of Eslocker mouthing-off, ever so delicately, to the cops (New rule: When a cop says, "Let's move," the correct answer isn't to turn away and say, "OK - Hold on" while on your cell phone. It makes you look like a smarta** and blunts our distaste for the cops' police-state behavior). I would like to see more of that exchange. I'm pretty sure ABC has the footage (New rule #2: If you're going to use video to help make the cops look like jackbooted jerks -- and they appear to deserve it here -- be fair and show what led up to it). How about posting it?
Side note to the Denver PD. Please, someone tell the sergeant with the cigar that his oral-phallic symbol does nothing positive for his image - especially in video. But do it gently. He doesn't seem like the type to take criticism well.
Side note to ABC News. Folks, you have one annoying video streaming system. Normally, I don't have much sympathy for folks swiping network footage and throwing it on YouTube, but putting a commercial before and after this tiny chunk of video -- every time I watched it. I now sympathize with the video pirates. I think this site has put me off ABC News for the next week.
Many thanks to the folks at MediaBistro for noting the story.
According to ABC News' own website, producer Asa Eslocker was arrested for doing his job, covering
Democratic senators and high-profile donors as they were leaving a private meeting at the Brown Palace Hotel.
The video shows one officer (note the Boulder County Sheriff's Office uniform) shoving Eslocker into a street and (among other things) then telling Eslocker he was blocking traffic. Here's what it doesn't show: the events leading up to the situation. Kudos to ABC News for including at least a little of Eslocker mouthing-off, ever so delicately, to the cops (New rule: When a cop says, "Let's move," the correct answer isn't to turn away and say, "OK - Hold on" while on your cell phone. It makes you look like a smarta** and blunts our distaste for the cops' police-state behavior). I would like to see more of that exchange. I'm pretty sure ABC has the footage (New rule #2: If you're going to use video to help make the cops look like jackbooted jerks -- and they appear to deserve it here -- be fair and show what led up to it). How about posting it?
Side note to the Denver PD. Please, someone tell the sergeant with the cigar that his oral-phallic symbol does nothing positive for his image - especially in video. But do it gently. He doesn't seem like the type to take criticism well.
Side note to ABC News. Folks, you have one annoying video streaming system. Normally, I don't have much sympathy for folks swiping network footage and throwing it on YouTube, but putting a commercial before and after this tiny chunk of video -- every time I watched it. I now sympathize with the video pirates. I think this site has put me off ABC News for the next week.
Many thanks to the folks at MediaBistro for noting the story.
posted by Prof. G. at
11:17 AM (permalink)
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