[Infowarrior] - CNN reporter criticizes TSA, finds self on terror watch list

[Richard Forno]

CNN reporter criticizes TSA, finds self on terror watch list
David Edwards and Nick Juliano
Published: Wednesday July 16, 2008

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/CNN_reporter_wants_off_terror_watch_0716.html


The post-9/11 airline watch list that is supposed to keep terrorists  
off of airplanes has swelled to more than 1 million names, including  
at least one investigative reporter who had been critical of the  
Transportation Security Agency, which maintains the watch list.

CNN's Drew Griffin reported on the bloating of the watch list, which  
an ACLU count pegged at 1,001,308 names Wednesday afternoon. Griffin's  
is one of those names, he says.

"Coincidentally, this all began in May, shortly after I began a series  
of investigative reports critical of the TSA. Eleven flights now since  
May 19. On different airlines, my name pops up forcing me to go to the  
counter, show my identification, sometimes the agent has to make a  
call before I get my ticket," Griffin reported. "What does the TSA  
say? Nothing, at least nothing on camera. Over the phone a public  
affairs worker told me again I'm not on the watch list, and don't even  
think that someone in the TSA or anyone else is trying to get even."

The TSA, which is a part of the Department of Homeland Security, said  
Griffin's name wasn't even on the watch list, and the agency blamed  
the airlines for the delays the reporter experienced. The airlines, on  
the other hand, said they were simply following a list provided by TSA.

While it wouldn't be much of a stretch for plenty of people to believe  
the TSA would exercise its revenge via watch-list meddling, an agency  
spokesman insists that just isn't the case.

"So if there's any thought or shadow of a thought that TSA somehow put  
you on a watch list because of your reporting," spokesman Christopher  
White said, "it is absolutely fabricated."

This video is from CNN's American Morning, broadcast July 16, 2008.