"SEATTLE - Faced with increasing criticism of a proposal that would restrict media filming in wilderness areas, the head of the U.S. Forest Service said late Thursday that the rule is not intended to apply to news-gathering activities.

The rule would apply to commercial filming, like a movie production, but reporters and news organizations would not need to get a permit to shoot video or photographs in the nation's wilderness areas, Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said in a phone interview Thursday.

'The U.S. Forest Service remains committed to the First Amendment,' he said, adding: 'It does not infringe in any way on First Amendment rights. It does not apply to news-gathering activities, and that includes any part of news.'"

Phuong Le reports for the Associated Press September 25, 2014. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Lawmakers Blast Forest Service’s Media Rules" (The Hill) [3]

"Feds' Proposal To Charge, Limit Access To Wilderness Areas Draws Fire" (Denver Post) [4]

"Forest Service Proposal Sparks 1St Amendment Firestorm" (Greenwire) [5]