Fort Bragg officials will restrict media access at Sarah Palin event

The U.S. Army’s decision to limit media access at a Sarah Palin’s public book signing scheduled for Monday at Fort Bragg prompted a media outcry yesterday.

Fort Bragg officials announced Thursday morning that the base would be open to the general public but that media would not be allowed to cover the event, the Fayetteville Observer reported. An Army official cited concerns that media presence would create a forum for criticizing President Barack Obama.

The Observer‘s editor wrote a letter protesting the decision, and the Army later agreed to allow restricted media access.

A small pool of reporters will be allowed to document the event but not to cover or conduct interviews. The Associated Press reported that its Associate General Counsel Dave Tomlin said the proposed pools and interview restrictions are "unlawful and unacceptable."

"If Army regulations forbid ‘political events’, the Army should have considered that before allowing Palin to hold a public autograph session for a political book on the base," Tomlin said.

Palin began a tour this week to promote her book, "Going Rogue."