This is absolutely not a free speech issue. Private (non-governmental) organizations invite people to attend events all the time, with or without the intention of getting publicity, and are still allowed to set ground rules. Free speech, with certain exceptions approved by court cases or law, only applies to governments.

AP management is right to insist on following its own journalistic standards and not cover events whose organizers make rules which don't allow the AP not to meet them.

If FOX is hosting the press tour, then I suppose they can put any restrictions they want on it. However, I agree with the AP that it should be all or nothing. I have been on press tours before and had any restrictions about photos or article content been in place, I would have not attended.

Hey what's the big deal if the network wants it that way than I say more power to them. You photo hogs get in the way and blind people with your flash, has it got so bad that you can't take pics for one day?

I don't see how the press junket can be considered a private event when it's geared towards bringing in the journalists.

But then I'm not surprised by the move. FOX is owned by Rupert Murdoch who doesn't know the first thing about journalism.

You just have to look at his New York Post to confirm that......

I wouldn't call it a violation of rights per se. I mean, it's a private function that the AP has been invided to attend. Journalists don't have the 'right' to invade a private event and disobey rules. It's not government, or public, or any such thing. However, the AP is doing exactly the right thing, by suggesting that they simply won't cover the event if they can't take pictures inside. Are rights being violated? No, but it's definitely a bad move on Fox's part, and has placed them in a quandary. Fox needs the publicity, and if the AP declines to cover it, then Fox is the only one that loses!