Director of anti-drilling documentary 'Gasland' arrested at U.S. House hearing
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WASHINGTON -- An Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker was arrested at a House hearing Wednesday after trying to film the proceedings without the required media credentials, the Associated Press reports.
Joshua Fox of Milanville, Wayne County, was led out of the room in handcuffs and charged by Capitol Police with unlawful entry.
Mr. Fox directed the anti-drilling documentary "Gasland," which was nominated last year for an Oscar. He also is an activist who has spoken out against hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, which was the subject of the House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee hearing.
The oil and gas industry has criticized Mr. Fox and his film for what they say is a sensationalized attack on fracking.
Democrats forced two votes, one to allow Mr. Fox to film the hearing and a second to recess the hearing for a week so that Mr. Fox could obtain credentials. Both motions were defeated on a party line vote.
Committee Republicans issued a statement saying that committee rules state, "Personnel providing coverage by the television and radio media shall be currently accredited to the Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries."
First Published February 3, 2012 12:00 am
