Gov. Nixon chooses which media he'll meet with on higher education

Intro:	Governor Nixon blocked some reporters from a discussion on higher education today. Allison Blood has more from the Capitol.
RunTime:	0:44
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: I'm standing outside the Governor's office where a few selescted reporters are hearing a discussion on higher education policy.

I'm interviewing Phill Brooks, KMOX's Statehouse correspondent who was barred from the event.

Actuality:	BROOKS1.WAV
Run Time:	00:16
Description: "I was told that I wasn't invited, I asked the Commiunications Director to talk to the Governor, an hour later as selected reporters were allowed into the Governor's office, I asked can I come in and she said no, the Governor wants it to be a small group."

Brooks was one of several media outlets excluded from the event.

From Jefferson City, I'm Allison Blood, Newsradio 11-20, KMOX

[Note: Brooks, director of Missouri Digital News that serves a number of news organizations across the state, did not edit this story]

Intro:	Governor Jay Nixon held a discussion on higher education policy with a purposely limited group of reporters. Allison Blood has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:	0:36
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The Governor barred several reporters from the invitation-only briefing session.

Bob Priddy, News Director of Missouri Net and former President of the Radio, Television and Digital News Association says this is disapointing but not surprising

Actuality:	PRIDDY1.WAV
Run Time:	00:10
Description: "It's not the first time though that we've had some body in the Governor's office who has manipulated the media or has played favorites, and so that's not exactly unusual."

Missouri Net was not invited to the meeting.

At least one major metropolitan newspaper was denied to choose which reporter they sent to the meeting.

From Jefferson City, I'm Allison Blood, News radio 11-20, KMOX

Intro:	Governor Jay Nixon held an invitation-only discussion on higher education for some members of the press , but one press member says this is not surprising. Allison Blood has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:	0:38
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: MissouriNet News Director Bob Priddy says the Governor's lack of press availability didn't start with today's barring of some journalists to his higher ed discussion.

Actuality:	PRIDDY3.WAV
Run Time:	00:13
Description: "We have asked to talk to him on some other things in the last day or two and his Communications Czar, or as I call it, the Communications Ministry, has refused to let us have access to him."

Several members of press organizations requested entrance, but the Governor's staff said no.

The Governor's Press Secretary says Nixon wanted to keep the discussion small, and refused a recorded interview.

From Jefferson City, I'm Allison Blood, Newsradio 11-20, KMOX.