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US Customs Agent Questions Journalist About 'Propaganda'

Doug Bernard

   A U.S. journalist has filed a civil rights complaint against the
   Department of Homeland Security after a Customs and Border Protection
   agent delayed his re-entry until he admitted to writing "propaganda."

   The incident occurred at Dulles International Airport outside
   Washington, when Defense One writer and editor Ben Watson was returning
   from a trip to Denmark.

   Defense One is an online journal owned by Atlantic Media that covers
   the defense industry.

   During re-entry, Watson handed over his passport and was asked a series
   of standard questions: "Do you have anything to declare?" "Did you
   bring any meat or cheese with you?"
   Watson was also asked his profession.
   "Journalism," he replied.

   'You write propaganda, right?'
   According to [1]Watson's account, the agent continued his questioning.
   "So, you write propaganda, right?"
   "No," Watson replied.
   "You're a journalist?"
   "Yes," Watson said.
   "You write propaganda, right?"
   "No. I am in journalism covering national security and homeland
   security, and with many of the same skills I used in the U.S. Army as a
   public affairs officer," Watson answered. "Some would argue that's
   propaganda."
   "You're a journalist?" the agent repeated.
   "Yes," Watson, replied again.
   "You write propaganda, right?" the agent asked again.

   'Stunning, not normal'

   Watson was repeatedly asked the same question for a period of time,
   which elicited the same response from Watson.

   Watson said he agreed to say he wrote propaganda to "expedite the
   conversation." At that point, he was handed back his passport.

References

   1. https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2019/10/us-customs-officer-harasses-defense-one-journalist-dulles/160380/

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