Washington D.C. - In response to media reports associated with the removal of an unaccredited filmmaker at today’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee hearing on EPA Ground Water research, the Committee wishes to clarify and reiterate the following facts:
- Section 9(j) of the Committee’s rules expressly states that “Personnel providing coverage by the television and radio media shall be currently accredited to the Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries.” The individual removed was not accredited by the House Radio and TV Gallery and had refused to turn off his camera upon request by Capitol Police.
- It has been misreported that the Committee turned away an accredited ABC News crew prior to the hearing. While a film crew arrived at the hearing claiming to be with ABC News, the ABC News Washington bureau confirmed to the Committee it was unaware of sending any crew to tape the hearing.
- As with all Committee hearings, the hearing was webcast live in its entirety at www.science.house.gov, and an archived version of the webcast will be publicly available on the website.