ExxonMobil is controlling Arkansas oil spill storyline

[UnrepentantLiberal]

As Central Arkansas news stations continue to report on an oil spill in Mayflower, just north of Little Rock, there are concerns ExxonMobil, which owns the burst Pegasus pipeline, is controlling the storyline.

Mother Jones reports on the difficulties some reporters are facing — including threats of arrest — while covering the spill. On March 29, a 20-inch buried pipeline burst in the town, releasing oil into local backyards and streets and, as one local station discovered, a nearby lake.

TVSpy checked in with several Little Rock stations to find out how they’re covering the story. We reached out to FOX and NBC affiliates KLRT and KARK, ABC affiliate KATV and CBS affiliate KTHV.

KATV news director Nick Genty says none of his reporters have been threatened with arrest, but says reporting the story has been a challenge. “Some of the issues that we have run into are that Exxon is running the show at the site. When we try to get information from local law enforcement, they direct us to the PR from Exxon.”

More: http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/little-rock-stations-grapple-with-covering-local-oil-spill_b86528

[woo me with science]

1. kick

[woo me with science]

2. kick

[woo me with science]

3. kick

[Art_from_Ark]

4. Damn, this is really screwed up

six ways to Sunday.

Anyway, here's the latest from the Arkansas state attorney general's office. They have already issued a subpoena to Exxon.

http://ag.arkansas.gov/newsroom/index.php?do:newsDetail=1&news_id=671

[UnrepentantLiberal]

6. Nothing more than theater.

Exxon will pay a small fine (for them) and keep doing what they've been doing.

[Art_from_Ark]

7. I am afraid you may be right

But I still hope that AG McDaniel vigorously pursues and prosecutes this, because Exxon is acting like Mayflower is now their private fiefdom.

[Initech]

5. Move along nothing to see here!!

[malaise]

8. Rachel had great coverage last night with AG Dustin McDaniel

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/26315908/#51512044

[Art_from_Ark]

13. Thanks for the link

I watched the interview and have some hope that AG McDaniel will pursue this vigorously.

[malaise]

14. Yes he seems to be a good guy

[City Lights]

9. Corporations rule the world.

Politicians are their puppets.

[G_j]

10. and they are getting away with it. nt

[spanone]

11. K&r...

[TheKentuckian]

12. Same deal with BP. The pecking order becomes quite clear and all levels of government

are under control.

It would seem folks would get a hint of how far gone things are but it seems to go over a lot of heads.