Name: Knox County locks out Knox News science reporter from coronavirus media update
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Knox County locks out Knox News science reporter from coronavirus media update

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Knoxville News SentinelView Comments A Knox News reporter who covers the science of the coronavirus crisis was barred by a Knox County official from participating in Friday's health department media briefing. has pressed the health department during the briefings - conducted every weekday online in the Zoom video conferencing tool - for specific information about the data it is using to inform its decisions.In a piece published online Thursday and in print Friday, Gabrielle explained during each phase of its three-phase reopening plan.When Gabrielle, who holds a master's degree in immunology and microbial disease from Albany Medical College, tried to dial into Friday's Zoom media briefing, he was unable to enter. When he texted the health department's media line to ask if there was a technical problem, an unidentified representative responded: "For the time being I've been asked to refer you to (county spokesman) Mike Donila."Knox News Executive Editor Joel Christopher said the county government's actions are inappropriate and alarming."What all of us don't know right now are how literal life-and-death decisions are being made by the people we pay to act in our collective interests," Christopher said. "In the midst of a public health crisis, every reputable medical and crisis response expert says clear communication with the public, through media, is vital. Even if an agency doesn't have the answer, saying so has been proven to build public trust."Donila told Knox News late Friday he made the decision to bar Gabrielle because of "unprofessional behavior directed toward the Health Department and his inaccurate reporting that has been constantly riddled with half-truths, missing facts and and a constant false narrative."He went on to point out that Christopher was allowed in at the end of the media briefing to ask questions."Invitations to these calls are courtesies provided by Knox County and not mandated by law," Donila said.Christopher said he stands by Gabrielle's professional conduct and reporting, which also relies on interviews and assessments by some of the nation's top epidemiologists, crisis communicators and science professors. County officials have not raised concerns about the reporting previously, Christopher said, and Donila gave no specifics in his statement.The media briefings also are livestreamed to the community on YouTube and Facebook, and anyone can watch the daily update, which includes vital community safety information and an update on the latest coronavirus numbers, including case counts, deaths, hospitalizations and recoveries."Gabrielle, like the rest of the public, is free to watch these meetings on the Facebook livestream and the livestream available on the Health Department’s website."But only reporters in the Zoom can ask questions. Journalists type their questions into the Zoom chat, and they are read aloud to the person conducting the briefing, usually Dr. Martha Buchanan, health department director, or one of her deputies.Donila said Gabrielle will be allowed to attend the Monday briefing.Christopher said Knox News always prefers to resolve issues outside of a courtroom, but would not shy away from legal action if necessary. "We're simply looking for government officials to answer the legitimate questions we've posed on the public's behalf."Knox News began asking last week&nbsp;what exact targets the county is using to show progress after the health department unveiled its website showing how well Knox County is progressing toward goals that allow for more businesses to open and social distancing guidelines to be relaxed.Knox News has submitted those questions in writing to the&nbsp;Knox County COVID-19 Joint Information Center and during the daily media briefings. Throughout the past week, Knox County officials punted on when they would answer those questions.Gabrielle said the county's presentation on its website showing its success meeting benchmarks without saying what the targets are is akin to a teacher giving a student an A without saying which work was actually evaluated.Here are some of the questions Gabrielle has posed to the health department:Deborah Fisher, executive director of the , called the county's intentional move to shut out Gabrielle "concerning.""They shouldn't be able to pick and choose which reporters get to ask questions," Fisher said. "The public expects reporters to ask hard questions."I don't see any reason for denying a reporter access just because they ask hard questions or a question you don't like."View Comments

Knoxville News SentinelView Comments A Knox News reporter who covers the science of the coronavirus crisis was barred by a Knox County official from participating in Friday's health department media briefing. has pressed the health department during the briefings - conducted every weekday online in the Zoom video conferencing tool - for specific information about the data it is using to inform its decisions.In a piece published online Thursday and in print Friday, Gabrielle explained during each phase of its three-phase reopening plan.When Gabrielle, who holds a master's degree in...

Knox County locks out Knox News science reporter from coronavirus media update

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