Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham had summoned reporters to a press conference at the state Capitol to talk about his plan for education funding.

The Capitol press corps, 15 or so reporters, dutifully gathered. 

It was March 19, 1987, a time when people got their news from the morning Arizona Republic, the afternoon Phoenix Gazette, the radio and the nightly TV news.

The governor made a brief statement and then opened the floor for questions.

John Kolbe, a columnist for the Gazette, asked the first question. Mecham ignored him and asked if there were any questions.

Kolbe and Mecham were at odds.

Kolbe was the dean of Arizona political writers, aggressive, often gruff, but smart and uncompromising. Mecham was a frequent target of his barbs.

Earlier that month, Mecham had declared Kolbe a “non-person.”

Kolbe was undeterred. “Does this mean I can now non-work?” he asked. 

Mecham banned Kolbe from the governor’s office. His press secretary wouldn’t return his calls.

Now Mecham pretended he couldn’t hear Kolbe’s question.

So Larry Lopez of the Associated Press asked it. Mecham ignored him, too. And the Gazette‘s Michael Murphy, who asked Kolbe’s same question. And the next reporter who did the same. 

Mecham walked out of the press conference.

It was a rare show of solidarity. Reporters hardly ever stick up for one another. It is a competitive business.

But a public official can’t target a reporter because he doesn’t like his questions, even when they’re tough. The Constitution guarantees press freedom.

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On Wednesday, the White House revoked the press badge of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta following a tense exchange with President Donald Trump. In another rare show of solidarity, an NBC News reporter stood up for Acosta, drawing his own rebuke from the president.

After Mecham shut out Kolbe, reporters wore “non-person” buttons. Editors and station managers protested.

A month later, when Kolbe asked a question at a press conference, Mecham answered.

Reach Karina at [email protected] or 602-444-8614. Find more at karinabland.azcentral.com.

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