It is safe to say that a government has something to hide when it denies particular press members access to an open government meeting based on their viewpoints. A similar incident occurred in Iowa when a reporter was blocked from entering a budget briefing meeting, while others were allowed in.
A video posted on Instagram detailed an incident in which a journalist, Laura Belin, a member of the Iowa Capitol Press, foresaw that something like that would happen. “I’ll just have this running in case I get kicked out,” she said, recording as she approached the door, predicting what would happen.
The clip had a text overlay that read: “Mason Mauro, staffer for Governor Kim Reynolds, just blocked me from a budget briefing to which many other reporters were invited.” Once Mauro saw that particular reporter approach the door, he let out a disclaimer, declaring, “Only if you received an invite and you’re allowed inside.” The reporter demanded to know why she was not invited, and all Mauro could say was, “This is a private office,” smiling smugly. She then argued that she had been in that office several times before, but the staff ignored her, while he encouraged other reporters to go in.
“You are a government official; you cannot exclude people based on viewpoints or content,” the reporter who was not granted access stated. However, Mauro paid her no attention and shut the door right in her face as soon as every other reporter filed in. Netizens were equally stunned by the government official’s actions.
“As a former journalist, Mason Mauro blocking current journalists from accessing information is such a travesty,” one wrote, tagging Mauro in the comments.
Many users were appalled by the other reporters who just walked by without speaking up for the one who was not let in. “Shame on other members of the press who said nothing,” one wrote. “Shame on every single member of the press that walked by you,” a second one echoed. “The other ones just walked in. They didn’t care that one of their own was being excluded. Unbelievable,” a fourth netizen noted. “Why do members of the press not stick together? Is it really that hard to all walk out together and support your colleague? Jeez! No backbone!” another pointed out. Sharing their sentiment, another confessed, “I was hoping that the others wouldn’t go in either, just for support. Very disappointing.”
A user wrote, “So swarmy he knows it is based on viewpoints and nothing will be done.” Another one joked, “The most punchable face in history. Congrats!” Another one wrote, “The current political climate feels like a defining moment in time. Either journalists believe in a free and fair press and defend that ethos in complete solidarity (to the point of refusing to cover briefings/ meetings at the exclusion of colleagues), or they’ll lose public trust.”
A last netizen wrote bluntly, “She’s such a weak governor. She fears the press that doesn’t coddle her.” As of this writing, Gov. Kim Reynolds hasn’t addressed the journalist’s accusation.
