University fires reporter because right-wing lawmakers told it to

If you're a journalist in Tennessee, be sure you never report things in a manner that right-wing public officials don't approve of. They'll get you.

After North Carolina passed its hated "bathroom bill", Tennessee is considering similar legislation. Jacqui Helbert - a reporter for WUTC-FM, owned by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - reported on the bill and met with a group of high school students as they met with legislators about it.

After the story aired, right-wing State Sen. Mike Bell and State Rep. Kevin Brooks complained about the story. They claimed Helbert didn't identify herself as a reporter - even though she clearly was a reporter, because she was lugging around recording equipment. Later, when university officials met with other Republican lawmakers, State Sen. Todd Gardenhire complained about the story and demanded Helbert's firing.

After Todd Garbagefire's complaint, the university promptly fired Helbert and removed her report from the station's website.

What's the point of even having news media if all they do is cave to public officials?

(Source: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2017/mar/24/utc-fires-reporter-over-bathroom-bill-reporting-after-local-lawmaker-complaints/419440)