TV reporter must stay 300 feet away from man
By The Associated Press
12.12.02
TAMPA, Fla. — A judge has ruled that a local television reporter must stay 300 feet from a man who claims the reporter is stalking him in pursuit of a story.
WFLA investigative reporter Steve Andrews has done a series of stories involving the multiple DUI arrests of Minh Ben Ross of Tampa.
Ross, a 30-year-old cook, complained that Andrews "harassed me and my lawyer repetitively with unwarranted questions" outside the Hillsborough courthouse, and had a cameraman film him without his knowledge.
Ross also accused the reporter of "displaying me and treating me as a terrible individual" on newscasts.
County Judge Eric Myers granted a temporary injunction against Andrews on Dec. 5. Andrews called the injunction "ridiculous" and an affront to the First Amendment.
"This is alarming. This is about stopping the press from covering the news," Andrews said.
Myers would not comment on the ruling, his chambers said yesterday, but told The Tampa Tribune on Dec. 10, "That case is like any other case. It was heard, it was reviewed and I signed it."
WFLA attorney Gregg Thomas filed a motion with Myers, asking the judge to dissolve the restraining order. A hearing is scheduled for today.
"These injunctions are designed to protect spouses in abuse situations," Thomas said. "Mr. Andrews only asked Mr. Ross some questions. That's not what these injunctions were designed for."
Andrews has aired a series of stories involving Ross' repeated arrests on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and how Hillsborough County Judge Elvin Martinez had tossed out crucial evidence against Ross at a trial. Ross still faces a DUI charge, and a charge of aggravated battery on his pregnant wife.
Ross's lawyer, James Thomas, said his client felt intimidated by Andrews and took out the injunction on his own accord.
"I believe that Mr. Andrews is trying to create the news, not report the news," Thomas said.