"SEATTLE - Faced with increasing criticism of a proposal that would restrict media filming in wilderness areas, the head of the U.S. Forest Service said late Thursday that the rule is not intended to apply to news-gathering activities.
The rule would apply to commercial filming, like a movie production, but reporters and news organizations would not need to get a permit to shoot video or photographs in the nation's wilderness areas, Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said in a phone interview Thursday.
'The U.S. Forest Service remains committed to the First Amendment,' he said, adding: 'It does not infringe in any way on First Amendment rights. It does not apply to news-gathering activities, and that includes any part of news.'"
Phuong Le reports for the Associated Press September 25, 2014.
SEE ALSO:
"Lawmakers Blast Forest Service’s Media Rules" (The Hill)
"Feds' Proposal To Charge, Limit Access To Wilderness Areas Draws Fire" (Denver Post)
"Forest Service Proposal Sparks 1St Amendment Firestorm" (Greenwire)
"Forest Service Says Media Doesn't Need Permit"
Source: AP, 09/26/2014
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