U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, a Republican from Ohio, is catching flak for this video showing a police officer confiscating video cameras at Chabot’s town hall.
The justification is ridiculous. If constituents don’t feel comfortable being taped, or having their questions recorded, they should avoid public forums like this and ask their question privately. What’s more, credentialed media were filming the entire event, so citizens’ questions still would be recorded. How this could be rendered a security concern is beyond me, unless some other evidence emerges in the near future.
The Associated Press is reporting that Chabot staff have apologized for the incident and say cameras will be allowed in the future:
Chabot spokesman Jamie Schwartz says cameras were taken to protect the privacy of constituents. He says in the future, cameras will be allowed and town halls will begin with an announcement that those who don’t want to be filmed asking questions can meet privately with Chabot afterward.
