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MSNBC’s Kasie Hunt Takes Issue With Senate Rules Committee
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Political correspondent Kasie Hunt analyzed the proposed ban on cameras for reporters in the capitol building on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Wednesday.
The move to ban filming and interviews without senators’ permission has sparked outrage among the media and contradicts decades of long standing practice.
Hunt tweeted about the new rule Tuesday, taking a hard line against the decision.
ALERT: Reporters at Capitol have been told they are not allow to film interviews with senators in hallways, contrary to years of precedent
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) June 13, 2017
CONDITIONS for any interview: Previously granted permission from senator AND Rules Committee of Senate
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) June 13, 2017
Do YOU want to see journalists hold your elected representatives accountable? Call the Capitol and say so: 202-224-6352 https://t.co/hTuOioMH87
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) June 13, 2017
When Hunt was there in person she says reporters were given a verbal directive to not film any of the senators and were told that they would now need permission from the senator and the senate rules committee before an interview can take place.
Normally, members of the media are free to linger in the rotunda and can approach reporters of their own volition.
“Whose idea was this, that’s absolute insanity,” said Joe Scarborough. Hunt says that she went to the head of the Senate rules committee but that no one is interested in taking credit for the unpopular idea. Hunt added that the rule being used is still on the books from 1993 and she couldn’t remember the last time it was invoked.
Luckily it didn’t take long for the Senate to realize they had overstepped and the rule is set to be reversed according to Hunt. Reporters will be able to go back to their normal routines with regard to interviews as soon as possible.
The issue of transparency was raised, when scarbaroudoug called the decision clumsy while David Ignatius of “The Washington Post” called congress “the people’s house.” Ignatius added that Congress is cut off enough as it is and that there needs to be greater calls for them to be forthright and transparent.
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