FEMA Staff Poses as Reporters

Section: Business

Happened at news conference called in response to California wildfires
Friday, October 26, 2007

Senator Mary Landrieu wants an explanation from FEMA Director David Paulison.

She wants to know why members of the FEMA staff posed as reporters at a news conference called to discuss the agency's response to the California wildfires.

Landrieu says it has come to her attention that Vice Admiral Harvey Johnson "misled the press and the public by taking questions from his own staff pretending to be reporters."

The Senator has sent a letter to Paulison asking for an explanation. Among other things, she wants to know what actions will be taken to hold those involved accountable.

In her letter to Paulison, Landrieu writes, "An open dialogue with the press is essential to keeping the public informed, holding our leaders accountable and providing a forum for debate. But now it appears that your deputy and his staff disserved this public interest by misrepresenting themselves and pre-selecting questions for this 'press conference'."

Landrieu says "I hope that FEMA image-building is not a substitute for the necessary reforms to ensure that the agency's response to this and future disasters is comprehensive, swift and effective."