USFS Discussion Forum on Proposed Filming/Photography Directive

Following on the heels of the Nov 18th event in Washington, DC (below), the U.S. Forest Service has arranged a similar second event in the West about its proposed directive on commercial filming and photography in federal wilderness areas that it manages.

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m.

WHERE: Oregon Public Broadcasting, 7140 SW Macadam Avenue, Portland, OR 97219.

The U.S. Forest Service has arranged an "informal discussion forum" Tuesday, Nov. 18 about its proposed directive on commercial filming and photography in federal wilderness areas that it manages. 

The session will be held in the National Press Club's First Amendment Lounge from 1 to 3 p.m.

The Forest Service is billing it as an opportunity for members of the media and "interested trade group members" to meet one-on-one with FS officials and get their questions answered about the proposed directive.

This event was scheduled in response to what the Forest Service calls "considerable concern" about what the proposed directive might mean, especially for journalists, but also documentarians and photographers.

The proposed directive sparked a media brouhaha. Forest Service officials responded by saying it doesn't apply to journalists or visitors, either to wilderness areas or other parts of the national forest system. But the language of the directive is vague enough that's not clear at all.  Journalism groups hope to persuade the Forest Service to revise the directive to codify what Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell has said about journalists, documentarians and photographers all being free to pursue their work free of having to get permits or pay fees.

The deadline for public comments is Dec. 3.  SEJ's FOIA Task Force is working with other J-groups on submitting those. Journalists in the Washington area might consider dropping by the NPC on Nov 18 to demonstrate and articulate your interest in seeing that the Forest Service formalizes in writing its encouraging rhetoric.