Obama Administration supports journalist who was arrested after recording cops | Ars Technica
The Obama administration filed a brief in a Maryland case stating that recording of police is protected by the 1st Amendment.
Quote from the article:
""The reach of the First Amendment’s protection extends beyond the right to gather information critical of public officials," the Justice Department wrote. "It also prohibits government officials from punishing the dissemination of information relating to alleged governmental misconduct."
The Obama administration urged the courts to use "considerable skepticism" when police officers use vague charges like disorderly conduct, loitering, or resisting arrest to retaliate against those who record their public activities. "Courts have routinely rejected officers’ attempts to criminalize protected speech through the use of charges that rely heavily on the discretion of the arresting officer on both First and Fourth Amendment grounds," the Justice Department argued."
The Obama administration filed a brief in a Maryland case stating that recording of police is protected by the 1st Amendment.
Quote from the article:
""The reach of the First Amendment’s protection extends beyond the right to gather information critical of public officials," the Justice Department wrote. "It also prohibits government officials from punishing the dissemination of information relating to alleged governmental misconduct."
The Obama administration urged the courts to use "considerable skepticism" when police officers use vague charges like disorderly conduct, loitering, or resisting arrest to retaliate against those who record their public activities. "Courts have routinely rejected officers’ attempts to criminalize protected speech through the use of charges that rely heavily on the discretion of the arresting officer on both First and Fourth Amendment grounds," the Justice Department argued."
