twitter's Journal: Michael Moore Must Prove He's a Jounalist

Many organizations are reporting that Michael Moore must prove to the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) that he's a real journalist or face fines and other punishment for visiting Cuba.

"OFAC has information indicating that you claimed to qualify under the provision for general license for full-time journalists," the agency writes in the letter... "An application dated October 12, 2006 was submitted by Goldflat Productions, which included you, but no determination had been made by OFAC. OFAC Enforcement is conducting a civil investigation for possible unlicensed transactions under the regulations surrounding your alleged trip to Cuba."

Moore must now provide a detailed written report about his Cuba visit, including the dates of travel, reasons for going, the group's itinerary, group members' names, travel agency used, cost of transportation, and evidence that he is, in fact, a journalist reporting for a news reporting organization. ... civil violations of the embargo, which can carry fines of up to $55,000 per violation.

Moore has sent a copy of his upcoming film overseas for safe keeping and will do what he can to avoid jail.

A single film is not as important as a free public and press. Moore is the highest profile person to be tarred with the "not a real journalist" attack, but he's not the first to face intimidation. Making special exceptions for some journalists but then not granting them to everyone is tantamount to creating an "official", state sponsored and controlled press like Tass/Pravda. Putting people in jail for disagreeing with you is more of the same.