Image Credit: Cameron Sexton / Facebook & The Tennessee Conservative
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
Last Wednesday, the Tennessee Conservative’s Brandon Lewis emailed Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Krista Lee Carsner (director of the Office of Legislative Administration) and others within the General Assembly to request FULL PRESS ACCESS for Adelia Kirchner, similar to the access freely granted to reporters like Phil Williams and other left-leaning, corporate news outlets.
On Friday, Full Press Access was denied.
Lewis’ email request stated:
” I am writing today on behalf of our subscribers to request FULL PRESS ACCESS for Adelia Kirchner, similar to access freely granted to reporters like Phil Williams and other left-leaning, corporate news outlets.
We are not looking to go through the Press Corps in any way, but are instead asking on behalf of GOP Primary Voters state-wide for ONE Conservative news reporter to be allowed identical access.
Please let us know if this access will be ALLOWED or DENIED by Friday, January 10th so we may inform our subscribers of your decision.
In section 19 of the Tennessee Constitution it states: That the printing press shall be free to every person to examine the proceedings of the Legislature; or of any branch or officer of the government, and no law shall ever be made to restrain the right thereof. The free communication of thoughts and opinions, is one of the invaluable rights of man and every citizen may freely speak, write, and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty.
It is our opinion that the refusal of access for our publication while allowing others access is a direct violation of the Constitutional right for our TN subscribers.
Thank you for your response to this matter.
~Brandon Lewis “
The response received stated:
” Mr. Lewis,
The Cordell Hull Building, which is the office building of the Tennessee General Assembly, is a public building; therefore, all citizens (including you and your subscribers) have access to the building as well as the offices of the members and staff of the Legislature including committee meetings and session which are also livestreamed.
It is the long-standing practice of the Tennessee General Assembly that the Capitol Press Corps is a body independent of the legislature to ensure there are no conflicts of interest as to what is or is not reported by the press. I cannot, nor can any member or staff of the legislature, speak to the Capitol Press Corps’ policies or practices. I recommend you reaching out to a member of the Capitol Press Corps should you have questions about their policies and practices.
Best,
Krista
Krista Lee Carsner, Director
Office of Legislative Administration
Cordell Hull Building, Suite 802
Office: 615-741-1919
Cell: 629-292-4708 “
Lewis’ retorted in an email response:
” There are many news outlets who have full access yet do not go through the Press Corps.
We would like similar access.
I don’t see why a republican speaker would require a republican news publication to ask the permission of Democrats to be able to observe the people’s business. I don’t think GOP primary voters will understand it either.
With that said, I will tell my subscribers that you have refused and you will hear from them on Monday. Further, I will raise money from them to hire an attorney and we will take the case to court.
The Tennessee Constitution does not mention the Press Corps, but it does says the general assembly cannot prevent access – which I believe is what is happening here.
I don’t know who thinks this is a wise political move, but they should be fired.
~ Brandon Lewis “
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However, since The Tennessee Conservative is determined to have a reporter in Nashville with access beyond what is just afforded to the general public, Lewis is submitting an application to the Capitol Press Corps for our reporter Adelia Kirchner and has requested expedited processing.
Without hesitation, the powers that be at the General Assembly grant full access to Christian-hating democrats like Phil Williams and left-leaning, corporate news publications (who FIGHT against Conservative legislation), yet when presented with an opportunity to have a REAL CONSERVATIVE reporter at the capitol, their reply is ROADBLOCKS.
So many of you personally DONATED to send a TTC News correspondent to Nashville.
This hard-earned money was generously given by local GOP officers, activists, GOP elected officials, and leaders of Conservative groups all over Tennessee so we could finally have at least ONE Conservative reporter in Nashville.
While Adelia will be at the capitol reporting this session, without FULL ACCESS much of what goes on behind the scenes will still be missed by the only conservative reporter on site. All the while, the liberal, corporate media news outlet will be allowed to be in the know and will have the privilege of deciding what Tennesseans will get to hear about.
On weekdays, the offices at the Capitol open at 9AM and close at 4PM Central Time. We encourage our readers to call and ask them why they are denying full access for the only conservative reporter at the Capitiol… when leadership and the majority of the General Assembly claims to be conservative themselves. (615) 741-2343.
