10th Circuit bolsters right to record police in action

the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that recording police is an established constitutional right. The ruling reversed a lower court decision in a case filed by a blogger and YouTube journalist protesting the actions of a police officer who blocked off his camera and shined his flashlight at him to prevent his filming a DUI stop. (The Gazette, July 11, 2022, by Julia Cardi)

While five of the federal appeals court have yet to weigh in on the issue, six courts ruled for the right to film police while working. The three judge panel for the 10th Circuit wrote in their opinion, “Mr. Irizarry’s [referring to the YouTube journalist] right to film the police falls squarely within the First Amendment’s core purposes to protect free and robust discussion of public affairs, hold government officials accountable, and check abuse of power.” (Huron Daily Tribune, July 11, 2022, by Colleen Slevin of The Associated Press)

For related FAC coverage, click here, here and here.