The story about the Montana congressional candidate who body slammed a reporter during a campaign stop is part of a troubling trend in America.
There is a clash occurring between the right of reporters to cover stories in public places, the desire of public officials to have complete control over their public image, and – at times – security workers who have no understanding of the role of the news media.
Last month a West Virginia statehouse reporter was arrested and detained for walking alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price while daring to ask questions.
In December, a photographer working for the New Haven Independent, was arrested while taking pictures at a crime scene.
There are many more examples of this kind of behavior out there and it appears to be happening more frequently.