LEE COUNTY, Fla. - Following last night's failed vote to unionize the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott conducted interviews with television stations including WINK NEWS.

News-Press reporter Rachel Revehl tried to join.

Sheriff Scott abruptly moved the interview and refused to include Revehl.

The incident last night had us concerned about whether the Sheriff's Office had a new policy that would limit our First Amendment rights as member of the press.
So we went to the Sheriff's Office to ask Sheriff Scott some questions.

"I think it's a privilege to have good access...unscripted from heart with elected officials," said Scott, "They have abused that privilege."

Sheriff Scott says his relationship with the News-Press has deteriorated over recent months, beginning when the paper ran a headline about a deputy involved shooting.

The headline said "Questions arise after deputy kills 'good guy'"

Scott does not believe his actions violate the first amendment.

"What amendment what law what anything requires me to speak with anybody? I've not deprived the News-Press of information," said Scott, "They ask for information through public statute 119, they get it immediately just like everyone else."

News-Press editor Terry Eberle issued the following statement to WINK NEWS:

"This is not between a reporter for The News-Press and the sheriff. This is
about intimidation and controlling information. And this is extremely
dangerous for all media and every citizen in Lee County.

Our role is to be a watchdog of government, not a mouthpiece and this is
what you get. Rachel has gone out of her way to be fair. She has been baited
and her reputation smeared by the sheriff and some deputies. Through it all
she has been professional and has upheld the values of good journalism.

Neither she nor The News-Press will be intimidated."