While FEMA is trying to be responsive to the Nation’s needs, especially the California forest-fire victims, it seems that instead of planning a conference properly, with ample notice for the press corps to get into place – instead, FEMA announced a press conference 15 minutes in advance – then held it without any real media in attendance, and instead had FEMA employees posing as reporting asking the questions.
Pretty lame? Seem not possible? Well, not only is it possible, it’s completely true – and at least they are admitting it was all a charade. FEMA, as the primary agency of Homeland Security, isn’t happy either.
A spokeswoman for Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who has authority over FEMA, called the incident “inexcusable and offensive to the secretary.” [Source: Reuters Alertnet]
For those of you who haven’t let this fully settle into their brain:
- FEMA held a press conference
- No press attended the event
- Fake reporters were played by FEMA employees
- Fake questions were asked by FEMA employees
- There were not any real press there
If this ‘fake press fest’ was held – how many others may have there been?
Source: Reuters AlertNet: “US agency apologizes for news conference on fires“
