Arizona Broadcasters Association v. Brnovich
What's at Stake
On August 23, 2022, the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona and a group of 10 media organizations, represented by the ACLU and Ballard Spahr, respectively, filed a lawsuit against the state of Arizona challenging HB 2319, a law which makes it a crime to record police officers within eight feet of law enforcement activity.
Summary
The suit challenges the law as a violation of the First Amendment, and seeks to stop HB 2319 from going into effect. The constitutional right to record police engaged in official duties is one of the public’s most effective accountability tools against police wrongdoing.
Video recording of police encounters and other law enforcement activity in public is one of the few ways community members and the media can hold police accountable for misconduct. Over the last decade, the simple act of recording police misconduct has raised public awareness about police brutality and ignited movements to demand reform across the country. Arizona’s HB 2319 would directly suppress free speech rights, while also limiting public accountability and effective protest of government actions.
The plaintiffs in this case include the ACLU of Arizona and the following media organizations: Phoenix Newspapers, Inc.; Gray Television; Scripps Media; KPNX (12 News); Fox Television Stations; Telemundo of Arizona; Arizona Broadcasters Association; States Newsroom (AZ Mirror); Arizona Newspapers Association; and the National Press Photographers Association.
This case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. On July 21, 2023, the court issued a permanent injunction declaring that HB 2319 violates First Amendment rights, and prohibiting the law from being enforced.
Legal Documents
-
08/23/2022
Arizona Broadcasters Association v. Brnovich Complaint -
09/12/2022
Preliminary Injunction Order -
07/21/2023
Permanent Injunction Order
Date Filed: 08/23/2022
Court: District Court (D. Ariz.)
Date Filed: 09/12/2022
Court: District Court (D. Ariz.)
Date Filed: 07/21/2023
Court: District Court (D. Ariz.)
Press Releases
ACLU of Arizona and ACLU Challenge Arizona’s Ban on Recording Police