Categories: OLD Media Moves

BP made workers sign contract preventing contact with media

BP had workers sign a contract banning them from speaking to media, and then, almost three weeks later, the company took back the clause pertaining to the media in a letter to oil spill workers, according to a News21 report.

Lauren Frohne and Jessey Dearing write, “BP has made claims that it has not blocked media from covering the oil spill. But a contract that became valid May 2 suggested otherwise.

“BP required workers employed in the Vessels of Opportunity program and other programs to sign a contract. The Vessels of Opportunity contract put fishermen at risk of losing their job, which is their only form of income, if they speak with the media.

“The contract included a clause prohibiting them and their deckhands from making ‘news releases, marketing presentation, or any other public statements’ while working on the clean-up.”