In Arizona, Republican Governor Doug Ducey has signed a new state law making it illegal to knowingly film a police officer at a distance of eight feet or closer — unless the officer grants permission. The law also allows officers to order people to stop recording, if they’re on private property and police have the owner’s consent. In response, media outlets across the U.S. signed on to a letter from the National Press Photographers Association that read in part, “We are extremely concerned that this language violates not only the free speech and press clauses of the First Amendment, but also runs counter to the 'clearly established right' to photograph and record police officers performing their official duties in a public place.”
New Arizona Law Makes It Illegal to Film Police in Many Circumstances
HeadlineJul 13, 2022