Missouri Senator Bans Recording Devices in Open Committee Hearing May 11, 2015

Missouri Digital News:
Small Business Committee Chair Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, initially banned journalists from audio recording a hearing on “Right to Work” legislation that would ban all-union shops.

Parson later recanted on his ban after protests by the KMOX statehouse correspondent — allowing KMOX, St. Louis public radio and the Jefferson City News Tribune to record the hearing.

Reports on Twitter indicate Parson also banned video recordings of the hearing along with still photos, including photos taken on smartphones.

Parson recently announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor.

The Senate currently is facing a lawsuit by Progress Missouri challenging the policies of Parson and two other committee chairs to restrict video coverage of their hearings.

KMOX Correspondent Phill Brooks said Parson’s decision to try to ban audio recording was the first he had experienced in more than four decades.