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Sinclair Reporter Has Press Credentials Revoked (Updated)

A Reporter with Sinclair’s KBOI (Boise) had her credentials revoked after she violated the rules after she followed a victim that was testifying to the Idaho House Ethics Committee.

The 19-year-old legislative staffer, identified by the committee only as Jane Doe, was subpoenaed to publicly testify to what she said was a sexual assault.

The woman said she met Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, R-Lewiston, that night for dinner. They went back to his apartment. She told police he held her down and forced her to perform oral sex.

In an effort to protect her identity, the black curtains were set up in the back corner of the room. Members of the press were asked to refer to her only as Jane Doe and not attempt to capture any photo or video of her. Attorneys spoke to her through the curtains as well.

But, witnesses and the Capitol Correspondents Association say KBOI Reporter Emri Moore filmed the victim as she left yesterday’s House Ethics Committee hearing after her testimony, though the video wasn’t shared or aired.

Note: An earlier version of this story said she followed the victim out of the statehouse. Her Attorney said that was not the case. We have updated the story at her attorney’s request.

Moore’s attorney also says that, “No one told Ms. Moore not to attempt to capture any photo of video of Jane Doe. Ms. Moore subsequently learned that the Ethics Committed advised the press not to take photos or videos, but Ms. Moore was not present at that time and no one advised her of these limitations.”

Update: KBOI’s GM released this statement shortly after the Capitol Correspondents Association revoked Moore’s credentials.

Tom Long, vice president and general manager for CBS 2 and Sinclair Broadcast Group, issued this statement: "CBS2 is aware of an incident involving one of our reporters outside of the House Ethics Committee hearing at the Capitol. The CBS2 family is committed in the belief that all victims deserve to be listened to and shown respect, and we apologize for this oversight. Footage of this incident has been deleted, and will not be aired or posted online in any manner. As this is now a personnel matter, we are addressing it with the reporter internally."

The Capitol Correspondents Association, the credentialing entity for news reporters covering the Idaho Legislature decided that Moore violated the instructions of covering the victim, and Moore’s credential was revoked.

A committee member of the Capitol Correspondents Association said the vote to pull Moore’s credentials was unanimous.

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