Filtering the news is propaganda

On July 1, 2010 the government issued an order barring the public and the news media from coming within 65 feet of clean-up operations of the gulf oil spill without permission from the Coast Guard.   Anyone not authorized by the Coast Guard “must not come within 65 feet of booming operations, boom, or oil spill response operations under penalty of law.” Those who “willfully” defy the White House order could be prosecuted as Class D felons and face up to five years in prison and a $40,000 fine.

Here's an excellent op-ed about first amendment rights.  He raises an interesting point as to why the media only cries foul on first amendment issues when it pertains to media, but not to other entitites.