Murder Ink: Papers React To THP’s Investigation Of A Journalist

By Kleinheider Posted on August 25, 2008 at 7:15 am

The editorial voice of the City Paper:

Certainly, running background checks on members of the press — particularly one fervent in monitoring the problems in the THP — appears far out of bounds of Shirley’s duties or anyone in state government for that matter. Such actions absent of any cogent, real-world explanation smack of the kind of political dirty tricks and intimidation tactics common to some of the worst moments and lowest points in our American democracy. The potential for misdeeds and a chilling effect on the press is enormous.

Gov. Phil Bredesen has classified Shirley as simply a “nosy” trooper. It would be convenient to be able to give Bredesen the benefit of the doubt, but this latest revelation about Shirley’s use of the state’s background checking ability to apparently research such a key member of the press to the THP is past the tipping point — even if in the end he proves to be the nosy type the governor suspects.

SEE ALSO:
Gannett
Silverman

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Tags: Brad Schrade, Department of Safety, Phil Bredesen, Ronnie Shirley, THP  

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