First step on "Rally to Restore Sanity" -- "Strictly prohibit filming" at National Mall

By J.P. Freire
Washington Examiner
Oct. 30, 2010

Irony reaches new heights as Comedy Central is going to “strictly prohibit filming” of the Rally to Restore Sanity/March to Keep Fear Alive. PJTV’s Washington Bureau chief Richard Pollock inquired with the Comedy Central’s senior vice president of corporate communications Steve Albani about receiving credentials. Albani claimed that Pollock would not be given credentials because of limited supply, and as such there would be no room on the “press riser” for PJTV’s camera and crew. When Pollock said that he’d be fine with filming not on the press riser, Albani said that filming would be “strictly prohibited” between 3rd and 7th streets on the National Mall (ground zero for the event). The email exchange is further down.

The claim that Comedy Central can prohibit filming on federal property during an event open to the public is completely wrong. I know this because I co-organized the first D.C. Tea Party event with John O’Hara (again, prior to my employment at The Examiner, yadda yadda), meaning I’ve gone through the process of getting a permit on federal property run by the National Park Service, which is precisely what Comedy Central had to do. And under the special events guidelines, which Albani may not have taken time to look at, is this:

News coverage of the event is allowed without additional permits unless significant additional equipment set-up, which is not depicted on the Permittees site plan, is involved. Arrangements for press and broadcast media coverage of the event must be made at least seven (7) days before the opening day of the event.

Here’s another resource, too. If PJTV’s crew walks around with handheld cameras, they’re well within their rights, particularly as a media organization — especially considering the number of camera phones, Flipcams, and personal camcorders that will be used during the event. But wait — it looks like somebody at Comedy Central read the rules because there’s a list on the Rally’s Frequently Asked Questions page about what is not permitted, and cameras are unlisted. In fact, the FAQ even says that the event is open to the media and to contact about credentials.

You don’t need credentials to film an event open to the public on federal land that has already permitted other media outlets. Comedy Central has not leased the National Mall, nor could it. In other words, quit it. Either this is a fun publicity stunt steeped in irony or it’s an exercise in corporate control. And last I checked, it’s not “Comedy Central Planning.”

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