Hillsborough County Cuts WTSP Off

[jestbiteme 13]

Courtesy our friends over at Florida News Center: The Hillsborough County, Tampa sheriff's office has suspended "extending media notifications" to WTSP-TV due to an argument over allegedly "abusive behavior" by 10News Reporter Mike Deeson.

http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/PublicWeb/hcsoresponse.htm

 

WTSP says the Sheriff's office is angry over Deeson's "what's that costing you" investigations.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/media/2009/09/hillsborough-sherriffs-office-suspends-contact-with-wtspch-10-over-feud-with-reporter-mike-deeson-.html

 

What about the legality of this? And the ethics- is it appropriate? Is it dangerous?

[10Viewer 334]

I saw the Deeson report, and honestly I believe that Hillsborough County is in the wrong here.

 

Deeson brought up a legitimate point: How much security is a six foot brick wall going to provide and is it worth the cost? Is it worth the 600k+ cost in the lean fiscal times we are in?

 

Some may find Deeson's report kind of petty, but I think it is very legit and county officials seem to be overreacting. After all, this is the county of Rhonda Storms and several corrupt commissioners.

[alaskanews 113]

What about the legality of this?

 

The full release says they are going to hold up their legal obligations (they can't kick them out if they hear about a press conference - it's a public place) but they don't have to tell them about anything. Isn't WTSP 3rd place? If this was a #1 station it would never happen.

[10Viewer 334]

WTSP is #1 at 11pm and, depending on the book, 2nd or 3rd at 6pm.

 

Normally, I'm not quick to come to their defense, but I think Deeson and WTSP are being targeted because Deeson has done many other reports critical of Hillsborough County policies and spending. His report a few years ago on a little know corrupt county transportation commission was very well done.