Lawsuit Challenging Law That Restricts Recording Police Has Nationwide Implications
Earlier this year, Arizona governor Doug Ducey signed HB 2319, a law that would make it illegal to record or photograph police within eight feet of them. It’s being challenged, and the results will have nationwide implications.
Violating the law, which will go into effect on September 24 barring any changes, would carry a punishment of up to a month in prison.
Photographers should not have to be told how much this law tramples on their rights. The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACUL), and nine other media outlets agree and yesterday filed a lawsuit alleging that HB 2319 is unconstitutional.
I agree, and the outcome of this case will matter even for those outside of Arizona. Arizona is just the first to try and restrict the rights of photographers and if it is allowed to stand, expect to see similar bills pushed in state legislatures across the country.
Thing I’m being an alarmist? Think again. I explain in this week’s Clipped Highlights.
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Clipped Highlights is a free, curated, weekly newsletter that will be sent out every Wednesday morning and will focus on a few of the most important stories of the previous week and explain why they deserve your attention. This newsletter is different from our daily news brief in that it provides unique insights that can only be found in Clipped Highlights.
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Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.
