FEMA apologizes for fake 'journalists'

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency has apologized for having agency staffers appear to be reporters at a news briefing in Washington.

The agency held the briefing Tuesday to talk about wildfires in Southern California. The Washington Post reported Friday that deputy FEMA Administrator Vice Adm. Harvey E. Johnson called on agency officials, who asked questions as though they were journalists.

Reporters had only received 15 minutes notice of the briefing. They were given an 800 number to call, but it was a listen-only line so anyone using it had no opportunity to ask questions, the Post said.

The briefing was carried in part by several cable news outlets and Web sites.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Friday the Bush administration does not condone the practice of agency staffers posing as journalists at press briefings.

"FEMA has issued an apology, saying that they had an error in judgment when they were attempting to try to get out a lot of information to reporters, who were asking for answers to a variety of questions in regards to the wildfires in California," said Perino. "It's not something I would have condoned, and they, I'm sure, will not do it again."

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