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Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu’s office stopped at the door to a media conference an ABC15 reporter who had covered the sheriff’s role years ago at a boarding school investigated for harsh discipline.
And Arizona House Speaker David Gowan implemented, and last week rescinded, a so-called security plan to bar any non-employee who wouldn’t go through an extensive background check from talking to lawmakers on the state House floor.
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Republican primary opponents: Why hide from the media?
The Republic
Recently, two candidates for the state’s 1st Congressional District have used similar tactics, opening themselves up to criticism.
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu’s office stopped at the door to a media conference an ABC15 reporter who had covered the sheriff’s role years ago at a boarding school investigated for harsh discipline.
And Arizona House Speaker David Gowan implemented, and last week rescinded, a so-called security plan to bar any non-employee who wouldn’t go through an extensive background check from talking to lawmakers on the state House floor.
That plan would have blocked one notable person: an Arizona Capitol Times reporter who brought to light Gowan’s use of taxpayer-funded vehicles for travel across the 1st District where he is campaigning for Congress.
The actions to block the media don’t sit well with some Republican candidates running against Gowan and Babeu for U.S. House in the northeast Arizona district.
They argue a free press increases transparency and question what Gowan and Babeu have to hide. One even offered to provide Gowan personal security if he’s so afraid of reporters.
Ken Bennett, former Arizona Secretary of State:
“Citizens deserve and expect openness and transparency in their government, and they should be extremely wary of officials who use their office to retaliate or deny access to the public or media. My record in public service has, and will always, stand for openness and honesty.”
State Sen. Carlyle Begay:
“The Arizona media does not always print everything the way I would like them to, but I have never heard of a case where members felt unsafe by media presence … I would be happy to provide personal security to (Gowan) in the coming weeks. Paul Babeu is a public official and I cannot see a reason why a government official, holding a government press conference, would exclude local media.”
For their parts, Gowan and Babeu argue the other’s record on press freedom is worse.
Gowan:
“There is a big difference between implementing broad new security measures due to safety concerns and wholly blocking media coverage,” Gowan’s campaign spokeswoman Melissa DeLaney said. “David Gowan is proud of his conservative record and looks forward to talking about it with voters, and the media.”
Babeu:
Babeu said his blocking of the media “is way different since every print reporter and TV camera was included for our press conference — including ABC15’s camera. Reporter (Dave) Biscobing was not included since he wanted to interrupt the focus of the press conference” from border security.
Republican candidate Gary Kiehne declined to comment.
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