Boston Media Scrutinizes City Ban on Olympic Bid Criticism -- Media Watch

(ATR)Michael Levenson, staff writer for the Boston Globe, discusses an official decree for Boston city employees issued on Thursday.

"Documents obtained by the Globe through a public records request to City Hall show Mayor Martin J. Walsh has signed a formal agreement with the United States Olympic Committee that bans city employees from criticizing Boston's bid for the 2024 Summer Games," Levenson says.

Sarah Wunsch, staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts (ACLU), spoke with Levenson about the ban.

"I think on its face it’s unconstitutional," Levenson quotes Wunsch a saying. "What's wrong with this decree is that it has no limits. It doesn't say you have the right, as a citizen, to speak on matters of public concern."

In a separate piece for the Globe, Levenson highlights Mayor Walsh's response to the Olympic criticism ban.

"In an e-mail being sent to the city's approximately 18,000 workers Thursday, Walsh reiterates his contention that the ban on criticism he signed with the U.S. Olympic Committee is 'boilerplate language that all cities have historically signed,'" Levenson says.

Walsh clarified however that city workers should not be discouraged from voicing their opinions on the Olympic Games.

"I want to you to hear from me directly, I will not--and will never--limit your right to free speech," Levenson quotes Walsh as saying.

Washington Post columnist Marissa Payne spotlights the ACLU's concerns regarding Walsh's "new legally binding joinder agreement" with the USOC. On Jan. 21, the ACLU tweeted:

We’re concerned about#freespeechissues involved in Boston’s banning city employees from criticizing#Olympics2024, & we’re looking into it

— ACLU Massachusetts (@ACLU_Mass) January 21, 2015Payne asks, "Should citizens actually be worried about the draconian nature of this new stipulation?" She adds, "Probably not. It seems the mayor's office sees this archaic inclusion in the joinder as more of a formality."

Boston Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham says, "If Boston 2024 can shake the resolve of a hardened party-pooper like me, however briefly, Walsh and other boosters are probably right to believe they'll win over other skeptics once they lay out their vision."

Abraham adds, "It will only be harder to question putting on the Games once the swell of civic pride becomes a tidal wave of patriotism. After all, polls are already in the backers' favor."

Zeninjor Enwemeka, a reporter for Boston's NPR news station WBUR, reviews the city's newly released Olympic bid documents.

"Almost two weeks after Boston was selected as the U.S. bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, we now have a glimpse of what the Games might actually look like here."

BostonHerald.com's Chris Cassidy also explores Boston's plans for the 2024 Summer Games.

"Boston Olympics organizers are planning 'the most walkable Games in modern times'--with venues an average of about 3 miles apart--divided into two main areas, along the waterfront and around major universities, according to details released at a media event today," Cassidy writes.

In an article for The Wall Street Journal, Jon Kamp and Matthew Futterman discuss the "turmoil" now facing Boston 2024 in the wake of Mayor Walsh's comments on the possibility of a public referendum.

"I wouldn't stand in the way," Walsh told the WSJ during an interview on Tuesday.

Kamp and Futterman say, "The USOC would likely view even the prospect of a referendum as a major obstacle to the U.S. hosting the Summer Games for the first time since 1996 and could decide to nominate another city."

The pair add, "USOC officials fear even a nonbinding referendum could signal a lack of public support to the international community."

Katharine Q. Seelye, columnist for the New York Times, says the decree barring criticism of Boston 2024 reflects the rift in Boston over the Games.

"The agreement, obtained by the Globe through a public records request, showed that not all was smooth sailing as Boston made its debut as America’s entry for hosting the Olympics."

However, Seelye adds, "Other cities, including London, have started out with skeptical citizens only to see support increase as more information is shared and plans are completed."

Compiled byNicole Bennett

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