Democracy in Distress in Brooklyn – The Media is Being Denied Their Basic Right of Free Parking

Democracy in Distress in Brooklyn – The Media is Being Denied Their Basic Right of Free Parking

 

As the media continues to come under scrutiny by governments and assorted critics, both large and small, those who are familiar with the constitution know that the media is the cornerstone of our democracy. It is the media that labors assiduously to provide complete transparency in government, business and all facets of our society. It is the media that shines a spotlight that serves a bulwark against rampant corruption.

Having said this, a little known problem has existed for many years and it rarely discussed. Just to place this in the proper context, a little background information is necessary. All members of the media is New York City are required to obtain press credentials. Previously, the issuance of credentials were in the bailiwick of the New York Police Department. Each member of the media received a press card with their photo to present to authorities when providing coverage of a crime, a fire or any other event.

Moreover, the press credentials include a press parking permit which allows media representatives to  park their vehicles for free in a location close to the event they are covering.  In Brooklyn, however, parking for members of the media has been circumscribed to them. A certain amount of parking spots were originally established in the downtown Brooklyn area where the court system, government offices and the office of the Brooklyn Borough President resides. This place is often the hub of government activity as well as the place where press conferences are held.

In order for reporters, journalists, editors and publishers to park their vehicles for the sole purpose of providing a service to their readers and viewers through extensive coverage, they need a place to park their vehicles and television trucks.

Sources close to the situation have said that such parking spots are worth their weight  in gold as they are practically non-existent, especially in the downtown Brooklyn area. While spots were, at one point, specifically designated for the media vehicles these few spots are being used by officials of other government agencies, leaving reporters without any choice but to drive around for hours seeking parking spaces for their vehicles.

When one compares this abysmal situation in Brooklyn to the more friendly environment for the media in Manhattan, it appears that the number of free press parking spots in the city are considerably higher. In the City Hall area in lower Manhattan, the site of press conferences, the media has much less difficulty finding spots for their vehicles.

In the largest city in the world, this situation is beyond shameful and as such prevents the wheels of democracy from spinning at its best.

In the past, the lack of press parking was presented on repeated occasions to then Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. The problem was also presented to officials in the city’s department of transportation.  Each request for comment and assistance with this matter was met with silence and no action was taken to rectify this matter in any kind of tangible way. Now that he is mayor of the Big Apple, Mr. Adams has a contentious relationship with the media and has done nothing to end this travesty of justice for those reporters who cover happenings in Brooklyn. Neither has the current Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso or the chief of the department of transportation, Ydanis Rodriguez.

Let’s be cognizant of the fact that Brooklyn is the most populous of boroughs in New York City.  In many ways, it is a city unto itself. Because it is a fast-paced and sometimes frenetic hub of activity, Brooklyn deserves to be a place of priority for all reporters. As such, we are compelled to raise our collective voices in outrage over this horrendous situation and we invite the public to join us!

Write, e-mail and call your local city council members in Brooklyn and demand answers as to precisely why the media that you count on for truth and accuracy in reporting are denied their basic rights.