On Wednesday, Doug Ducey, the governor of Arizona, signed a measure into law that makes it illegal for people to record videos within eight feet of police activity.
Many civil rights groups and news media organizations have “criticized this measure, which comes after the predominance of cellphone cameras increased public documentation of police activity,” according to an article in the New York Times.
Some think that there is little reason for bystanders to record the police from within eight feet. If they pass that limit, they could disrupt police activity and get seriously hurt in a dangerous situation.
Law enforcement activity could include questioning a suspect, handling a disorderly person, or conducting an arrest, according to the text on the bill. “A violation is a misdemeanor offense, with a potential penalty of up to 30 days in jail and fines of up to $500,” according to an article in the New York Times.
There were several astounding questions about the law’s enforcement, such as how people should respond if an officer moves toward them even though they were recording from more than eight feet away.
“It might deter them from actually recording or might make them back up even further than the eight feet that the law requires,” Alan Chen, a law professor at the University of Denver, said.
The United States Supreme court has not yet ruled on whether recording a video of a police officer in public while they are on duty is alright.
Many videos of deadly police encounters recorded by civilians gained universal attention. For example, Daniella Frazier’s video of a white police officer murdering George Floyd attracted much attention.
The A.C.L.U of Arizona wrote on Twitter that the law would make it harder for civilians to hold the police accountable for misconduct.
Source(s): https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/09/us/arizona-recording-police-8-feet.html
Many civil rights groups and news media organizations have “criticized this measure, which comes after the predominance of cellphone cameras increased public documentation of police activity,” according to an article in the New York Times.
Some think that there is little reason for bystanders to record the police from within eight feet. If they pass that limit, they could disrupt police activity and get seriously hurt in a dangerous situation.
Law enforcement activity could include questioning a suspect, handling a disorderly person, or conducting an arrest, according to the text on the bill. “A violation is a misdemeanor offense, with a potential penalty of up to 30 days in jail and fines of up to $500,” according to an article in the New York Times.
There were several astounding questions about the law’s enforcement, such as how people should respond if an officer moves toward them even though they were recording from more than eight feet away.
“It might deter them from actually recording or might make them back up even further than the eight feet that the law requires,” Alan Chen, a law professor at the University of Denver, said.
The United States Supreme court has not yet ruled on whether recording a video of a police officer in public while they are on duty is alright.
Many videos of deadly police encounters recorded by civilians gained universal attention. For example, Daniella Frazier’s video of a white police officer murdering George Floyd attracted much attention.
The A.C.L.U of Arizona wrote on Twitter that the law would make it harder for civilians to hold the police accountable for misconduct.
Source(s): https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/09/us/arizona-recording-police-8-feet.html
