As if there hasn't been enough controversy over misinformation about the BP Gulf oil spill coming from both the company and from government officials, there is news today that further restrictions are being placed on the ability for journalists to cover the environmental disaster.

People - including media - "must not come within 20 meters [65 feet] of booming operations, boom, or oil spill response operations under penalty of law," the Huffington Post reports the Coast Guard order as saying. Oil response operations iapparently includes many aspects of beach clean-up operations as well. And to willfully disobey the order - as a journalist approaching an taking pictures would surely be accused of doing - come with a penalty of up to five years in prison and/or up to $40,000 in fines.

Both HuffPo and All Voices have write-ups. And Democracy Now continues its great coverage of the Gulf oil spill, including this report on the new restrictions: