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Columnist Sues City Over Press Passes
in response to reader comment: right not a privilege

Submitted by Colin Killian, Feb 21, 2008 18:33

Where in the U.S. Constitution does it say everyone who claims to be a journalist gets a press pass? It doesn't. The NYPD has the authority to issue press credentials as it sees fit. Period. Receiving a credential as an online journalist not affiliated with a traditional media outlet is, in fact, a privilege, not a right.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
As I remember it (before my 2001 buyout), the NYC Police issued Press IDs as well as Press Passes; and... [MORE]	Jim Brumm	Feb 23, 2008 00:41
I applaud Levitt for fighting back. An experienced journalist, I recall I also had a very difficult time with the... [MORE]	prsun	Feb 22, 2008 13:19
If only traditional news organizations are entitled to press passes there will be less and less information available. Internet, TV... [MORE]	Platousa	Feb 22, 2008 01:22
From reading this article, it seems that he has technically not been a member of the press since 2005, and... [MORE]	josh	Feb 22, 2008 00:50
As Platousa points out, the NYPD only recognizes full time staff of networks or newspapers, not independent contractors who have,... [MORE]	Jon	Feb 22, 2008 11:01
Press passes ARE a right! The only reason to suppress is to prevent certain reporters who might be more critical.... [MORE]	mda	Feb 21, 2008 22:45
the police should not be the gatekeeper for press passes, particularly for passes to cover their own police department. this... [MORE]	David	Feb 21, 2008 19:46
The press have a RIGHT to access. It is not a privilege. Any law or statute that contradicts the constitution... [MORE]	freeman	Feb 21, 2008 17:18
Where in the U.S. Constitution does it say everyone who claims to be a journalist gets a press pass? It...	Colin Killian	Feb 21, 2008 18:33
The system of press passes is as unconstitutional as "free speech zones". In the immortal words of Justice Felix Frankfurter... [MORE]	Patrick	Feb 21, 2008 20:43
where in the constitution does it say you need a press pass? freedom of the press is just that. just because... [MORE]	freeman	Feb 22, 2008 00:50
The Constitution gives everyone the right to publish their ideas via the press or any other form of media. It... [MORE]	Ken	Feb 22, 2008 02:28
Levitt used to work for Newsday and they actually extended his press pass for an extra year as a courtesy.... [MORE]	Jennifer Collins	Feb 21, 2008 16:22
So just what is a journalist? Publish on line and you are a "blogger," but go to work for a... [MORE]	thomas	Feb 22, 2008 02:21
Whaaaaat???? The media is issued papers and the police check them? That's more than they do about illegals! This Mr.... [MORE]	Tim	Feb 21, 2008 16:01
Mr. Levitt- You shouldn't bite the hand that feeds you. Things like this will probably happen when you do. [MORE]	Rufusthedog	Feb 21, 2008 15:12
We feed the police. We finance their efforts through our non-voluntary tax contributions. They work for us and should be... [MORE]	PhotoSurveyor	Feb 21, 2008 22:57
Raymond Kelly rules the police department with an iron hand. With the exception of Patrick Lynch of the Patrolmen's Benevolent... [MORE]	Stanley Bleecher	Feb 22, 2008 09:31
Obvious abuse of power by NYPD chief and denial of freedom of speech. I want to hear what gets done... [MORE]	Frances	Feb 21, 2008 13:40
Good for him! Don't let yourself be a doormat for bureacracy. [MORE]	mike	Feb 21, 2008 12:55
February 21, 2008 So the NYPD declined to renew a reporter's press pass. And the reporter claims that the NYPD Commissioner... [MORE]	Paul Kellogg	Feb 21, 2008 12:08
Sounds to me as if the police department has something to hide. If the reporter is a lier, all they need... [MORE]	Derick Moore	Feb 21, 2008 10:58
It is not surprising that The NYPD is closing the ranks on critical voices. In light of the allegations against... [MORE]	Anonymous	Feb 21, 2008 10:04
I think the saying goes "When you bite the hand that feeds..." [MORE]	james	Feb 21, 2008 09:35
Good for the City of New York! Press passes are not a right but a privilege. The City should have... [MORE]	ricardo maxwell	Feb 21, 2008 08:47
Curiouser and curiouser. Sounds as though a member of the press is getting special treatment from the NYPD for writing... [MORE]	Paul Kellogg	Feb 21, 2008 16:09
Two experiences from the same police department more than a decade apart: When I started my first print publication in 1992,... [MORE]	Jeff Barea	Feb 21, 2008 07:56
The NYPD has become so blinded by the events of 9/11 that they have cracked down in the most absurd,... [MORE]	Jon	Feb 21, 2008 17:26
of course it makes sense.... all your articles should cover the heroic work of our police department and our fire... [MORE]	freeman	Feb 22, 2008 01:06
Finally someone -- Jon -- has gotten the point of the matter. Kudos. Irrespective of whether owning a press pass... [MORE]	Marty	Feb 22, 2008 01:43
freedom of the press (and speech, etc...) is so fundamental to democracy and human rights that it is not up... [MORE]	freeman	Feb 22, 2008 04:12