Georgia Republicans Seek to Regulate the Media

[TexasTowelie]

Six Georgia Republicans want to regulate the work of journalists and other media entities by creating an ethics board and instituting requirements for how interviews are conducted.

State representatives Andy Welch, Tim Barr, Rick Jasperse, Ron Stephens, Mike Cheokas, and Mark Newton filed House Bill 734 on Day 40 of the 2019 session.

The measure seeks create a 9-member Journalism Ethics Board responsible for:

Accrediting journalists and organizations
- Entire news organizations would only be accredited if every journalist in the organization was accredited

Investigating and sanctioning journalists after complaints are filed by the public
- Allows for public and private reprimand, probation, and revocation of accreditation

Accepting and managing grants, donations, gifts, and other monetary awards

Setting rules and standards to adhere to for ‘factual and ethical reporting.’

Additionally, the bill requires that media outlets turn over any video and audio recordings in unedited format as well as photographs taken during an interview at no charge upon request by the person interviewed. It sets a 60-day window from the date of the interview to request the files, sets a timeframe to fulfill the request, and allows for private action against the media outlet or journalist for failing to comply, assessing a $100 per day penalty.

Read more: http://evans.allongeorgia.com/1st-amendment/full-text-ga-republicans-seek-to-regulate-the-media/

[bitterross]

1. If they substituted "Elected Officials" for media the law might be a good idea.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Apparently they have reading comprehension issues. "No law.. abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press" means NO LAW.

[Scarsdale]

3. Correction -

in gop speak "No Law" means "No law for republicans" The placement of Agent Orange in the WH has changed many aspects of life as we know it. Mainly two sets of laws. One for repubs. the other for dems. No matter how unhinged HE becomes, nobody is supposed to point it out. Everyone must accept him as "normal"

[bitterross]

4. Unfortunately, you are correct. /nt

[watoos]

2. They want to accredit journalists;

translation; only "journalists" from Fox News can cover events.

[DoctorJoJo]

5. I Have Some Choice Words for Georgia Repukes, But They May Get Me Banned!

[modrepub]

6. Since When Do Republicans Support More Government Regulation?

[Volaris]

7. And section 2 of the bill would require

all republican lawmakers to purchase a gun and then shoot themselves in the foot with it.

Yeah, yeah, I get that they're trying to sue the 'librul media' into acting like Fox and treating them 'fairly'.

But what are they gonna do when what they think isn't fair is the words that come directly out of their own mouths, sue themselves??!

'thats not fair I want the WHOLE ENTIRE stupid thing I said played in context, THE LAW REQUIRES IT!!'.

'You got it, buddy, comin' RIGHT UP.'

They wanna go ahead and re-instate the fairness doctrine FOR US, I'm not sure they'll get a whole lotta fight outta me in return.

What dopes hahhaha.

[Zambero]

8. Or more correctly, regulating the First Amendment

The "freedom and liberty" crowd is at it again. The concept of a "9-Member Journalistic Ethics Board" would have most welcome during the Inquisition. Step out of line? You pay the price!