Open in App
  • Local
  • Headlines
  • Election
  • Crime Map
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • KFOR

    Judge grants KFOR temporary restraining order in First Amendment case

    By Adria Goins/KFOR,

    24 days ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0o7Woe_0vjmUQrr00

    OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A federal judge has granted KFOR a temporary restraining order for 14 days against Superintendent Ryan Walters and Press Secretary Dan Isett on Wednesday.

    Earlier this week, KFOR and the Institute for Free Speech filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to be allowed to cover the public state school board meetings and press briefings.

    The order prevents three things: 1) denying KFOR access to the room in which Oklahoma State Board of Education meetings are held; 2) barring KFOR from Walters’ follow-up press conferences; and 3) physically obstructing or impeding KFOR’s reporters when they attend these meetings or press conferences.

    RELATED COVERAGE: KFOR takes State Superintendent Ryan Walters to court

    In the court order, Federal Judge Bernard Jones said “with these standards in mind, and after considering all written submissions, evidence, and arguments presented at Wednesday’s hearing, the Court finds that KFOR is likely to succeed on its First Amendment claim.”

    The State Board of Education’s next board meeting is Thursday, September 26 th .

    Isett appeared in court Wednesday, sitting in the gallery.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4JxALw_0vjmUQrr00
    Sketch of State Department of Education Press Secretary Dan Isett in courtroom (KFOR)

    Walters was not at the hearing.

    Judge Jones listened to arguments from attorneys on both sides during the hour-long hearing. Courtney Corbello, attorney for the Institute for Free Speech, represented KFOR. She argued it was a clear case of discrimination and First Amendment violation

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1NTkRt_0vjmUQrr00
    Sketch of Institute for Freedom of Speech Attorney during the Federal hearing of KFOR’s First Amendment case against OK State Superintendent Ryan Walters and Press Secretary Dan Isett. (KFOR)


    “Defendants were very clear that the reason that they are denying KFOR entry into these press conferences and these board meetings is because they don’t like what they’re reporting,” said Corbello.

    …newsgathering is the lifeblood of free speech

    Federal Judge Bernard Jones

    On multiple occasions, News 4 has not been allowed at State Board of Education Board main meeting room and press conferences. The state told the court, KFOR has been denied access because they “do not report the truth.”

    Judge Jones responded during the hearing by saying, “As a public official, you’re not always going to like everything the media is saying, but that comes with the territory. It comes with the job.”

    In the filing, Judge Jones said “the Court finds this justification to be little more than a ruse, masking an effort to punish a news organization for its editorial stance.”

    The court order went on to say, “newsgathering is the lifeblood of free speech.”

    The state also argued that the press room was at capacity and there were security issues, something Corbello said was never mentioned before this suit.

    “There were so many opportunities before and after the lawsuit was filed to say, well, here are the legitimate reasons why we’re doing this,” said Corbello. “Instead, like I said in court, they’ve doubled down.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1wtKJY_0vjmUQrr00
    Sketch of KFOR Anchor/Reporter Dylan Brown with attorneys during Federal hearing on KFOR’s First Amendment case against OK State Superintendent Ryan Walters and Press Secretary Dan Isett. Amendment. (KFOR)

    Cameras are not allowed in federal courtrooms, but KFOR did ask Isett if he had a reaction to the hearing as he was leaving the courtroom and he said, “No.” News 4 also requested a statement from OSDE, Walters, or Isett via email after the restraining order was granted.

    “A judge can give KFOR privileges, but that doesn’t keep the organization from being fake news.” Isett said in response to the statement request.

    Attorney General Gentner Drummond responded to the case Wednesday.

    “Keeping KFOR, the oldest and one of the most reputable news agencies , out of press conferences seems to be the opposite of good government, the opposite of transparency and accountability,” said Drummond. “That’s what journalists must do to hold elected officials and appointed officials accountable.”

    KFOR Court document suing Ryan Walters, Dan Isett Complaint Download KFOR Brief in support of motion court documents Download Declaration-2 court documents tied to KFOR lawsuit against Ryan Walters, Dan Isett Download Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

    For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.

    Comments / 16
    Add a Comment
    Julie Clark
    21d ago
    The way I see it is, if they have nothing to hide, then they shouldn't be worried about the press being in there! Correct?
    MrSkr8Up 83
    23d ago
    This is PRIVILEGE BULLSHIT. You know who the CONSIDERED TRUE AMERICANS ARE when they have the ABILITY to do what A HIGH END MUSIC ARTIST CAN'T. That's keep EVERYONE out of a WELL PRESIDENTED RIGHT TO KNOW about a HIGH PROFILE CASE. That is sooo UNCONSTITUTIONAL. Bending rights and laws to your will because WHO YOU ARE OR KNOW. Your average 👉🏿👨🏻‍🦰👦🏼👩🏻‍🦲👱🏻👈🏿 can't do it. Even the average 👉🏿👱🏻👩🏻‍🦲👨🏻‍🦰👦🏼👈🏿 gets the 🥷🏿🥷🏾 treatment my the JUDGE AND PAPARAZZI! 2 branches of government just told all of us to 🖕🏿off. Judicial and Legislative....how about those rights huh?
    View all comments
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local News newsLocal News

    Comments / 0