Along the Gulf Coast, crews work around the clock to clean up what
seems like a never-ending mess. But sometimes journalists find it
difficult to get to the scene to do their jobs. Many reporters have
been denied access to public areas by BP contractors and local law
enforcement, prompting allegations that the oil giant is trying to
control the story. BP denies it.

And at a recent news conference, national incident commander Thad
Allen insisted that he's told BP to give journalists access to safe
and secure areas. In a piece for Mother Jones, reporter Mac McClelland
wrote that she was stymied at every turn by Jefferson Parish sheriff's
deputies brought it to supplement the local police. Deputies, she
reports, that were following the orders of BP.

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