Stars and Stripes files challenge to Article 32 exclusion (MR&E)

(This is bad, when the military starts excluding the Military reporters from Stars & Strips from Military courts... This is not good.)

Stars and Stripes files challenge to Article 32 exclusion

In a Washington court filing, Stars and Stripes, the Defense Department-sponsored daily newspaper, has challenged a Navy officer's decision to bar reporters from a criminal hearing. In recent weeks, Navy and Army officials have excluded reporters from preliminary criminal hearings in Italy and Kentucky.

In the Italy case, a Navy chief petty officer is accused of indecent acts with a minor, fraternization and sexual harassment. Reporters were denied access to an Article 32 hearing.

In Kentucky, a solder was charged with firing shots at others in October. Despite requests from a reporter, military officials did not notify the media that an Article 32 hearing was under way until it was already in progress. A reporter as allowed to attend the hearing about a week after it started.

Both cases suggest military officials are ignoring a decision by the Court of Appeals of the Armed Forces, the highest military court that ruled all Article 32 hearings must be open to the public and media unless specific, limited reasons are given beforehand. The court ruled blanket closures are forbidden. Investigating officers can close an Article 32 hearing, the court ruled, if testimony is about classified materials or from sexual assault victims.

<http://www.militaryreporters.org/>
(more at link above)

how can we be surprised when the generals and admirals that he commands do the same.

:kick: