Image Credit: Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images 
BREAKING UPDATE: Maui police chief John Pelletier said at least one person has been arrested for “trespassing” while trying to witness the devastation. Pelletier then called on the press to dox and identify such individuals.
WATCH:
Original article below:
Maui County officials have imposed an unconstitutional 12-mile “media free zone” around Lahaina where wildfires devastated the area last week, according to reports.
“Fox & Friends” co-host Will Cain, a West Maui resident, claimed Monday that Maui Mayor Richard Bessen ordered the implementation of a “media free zone.”
“I’m in West Maui. Service is rough. Hard to post. But we’re putting together stories of incredible citizens stepping up where the government has failed. And at Napili Plaza someone from the Mayor Richard Bissen’s office tries to shut me down saying West Maui is a media free zone. No sir, this is America,” Cain tweeted.
Right now I am nowhere near search and rescue. I’m twelve miles from Lahaina. How is the entire West Side a media free zone? Is it no longer America? Constitution has been suspended?
— Will Cain (@willcain) August 15, 2023
“Right now I am nowhere near search and rescue. I’m twelve miles from Lahaina. How is the entire West Side a media free zone? Is it no longer America? Constitution has been suspended?”
“So the question for Mayor Bissen and others is, what are you trying to hide? This bullshit is how you grow conspiracy theories. And bullshit conspiracies have filled the zone. So why are you making West Maui a truth and free speech and media free zone?” he asked.
So the question for Mayor Bissen and others is, what are you trying to hide? This bullshit is how you grow conspiracy theories. And bullshit conspiracies have filled the zone. So why are you making West Maui a truth and free speech and media free zone?
— Will Cain (@willcain) August 15, 2023
Cain followed up on Tuesday saying Fox News is the only national media present in West Maui despite officials trying to “censor us and shut us down.”
“We believe we are the only national media in West Maui. I haven’t see any other crews. And they tried to censor us and shut us down. ‘West Maui is a media free zone.’ We only got through the checkpoints because I’m a property owner in West Maui. They have this place on info lockdown from Waihee to Maalaea,” he stated.
We believe we are the only national media in West Maui. I haven’t see any other crews. And they tried to censor us and shut us down. “West Maui is a media free zone.” We only got through the checkpoints because I’m a property owner in West Maui. They have this place on info…
— Will Cain (@willcain) August 15, 2023
“To be clear, there have been MANY amazing citizen journalists and local news like @MauiNOW is great,” he added. “But when you attempt to control information you sow the seed of conspiracy theory. You know a resource that’s missing in Maui: information.”
To be clear, there have been MANY amazing citizen journalists and local news like @MauiNOW is great. But when you attempt to control information you sow the seed of conspiracy theory. You know a resource that’s missing in Maui: information.
— Will Cain (@willcain) August 15, 2023
Other reporters corroborated Cain’s claim about the 12-mile “media free zone.”
I’m being told there is a TWELVE MILE “MEDIA FREE ZONE” around Lahaina, Maui where the “wildfires” struck
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON??
I’m flying in TOMORROW.
I’ll let them put me in JAIL before I’ll obey an unconstitutional “MEDIA FREE ZONE”
Don’t believe me? Try me.… pic.twitter.com/slJZaxCYwM
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 15, 2023
Why is the government preventing reporters from exercising their First Amendment rights to gather news and information about the deadliest wildfire in U.S. history?
The death toll has risen to 99, which is expected to double, and over 1,000 people are still believed missing, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) said Monday.
“They will find 10 to 20 people per day probably until they finish. And it’s probably going to take ten days. It’s impossible to guess really,” he said.
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