Bill Would Require South Carolina Journalists to Register

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Bill Would Require South Carolina Journalists to Register

By MEG KINNARD, ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Jan 19, 2016, 4:03 PM ET

South Carolina journalists would be required to register with the government before reporting the state's news under a bill introduced Tuesday by a Republican state lawmaker.

The proposal would establish a "responsible journalism registry" with requirements that journalists must meet before working for a news outlet in the state. Those requirements weren't laid out in the bill's summary, which was available online Tuesday. The measure's full text has not yet been posted.

Fees could be charged to be listed in the registry, which would be operated by the Secretary of State's Office. The bill also would authorize "fines and criminal penalties" for violating the law.

The bill has been referred to a committee for debate.

Bill sponsor Rep. Mike Pitts, R-Laurens, did not immediately return messages seeking comment on the proposal. Last summer, the former law enforcement officer opposed an ultimately successful push to remove the Confederate Flag from South Carolina's Statehouse grounds following the slayings of nine black parishioners at Emanuel AME in Charleston.

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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/bill-require-south-carolina-journalists-register-36383440

[KamaAina]

1. Got fascism?

[NightWatcher]

2. Right after they make Bubba register his guns

The 1st trumps their 2nd amendment.

[Shrike47]

3. Hmmm, hasn't read the 1st Amendment, has he? If politicians can lie, so can Fox, buddy.

[403Forbidden]

4. He doesn't want independent journalists (social media) documenting police brutality is my guess

[HereSince1628]

8. sounds right to me. Those digital cameras in everyone's pockets...

they're a threat to law enforcement!

[randys1]

5. This is perfect. This illustrates that the right does NOT at all like our Constitution and

very much wants to change it.

the problem is our SC has 5, 4 for sure, Justices who also do NOT like our Constitution because they ignore it and precedent on a regular basis.

Now, how important is this election again?

[Kelvin Mace]

6. Unconstitutional on its face

[FrodosPet]

7. How about "NO, FUCK YOU VERY MUCH, Rep. Mike Pitts, R(epressican)-Laurens!"

What a ridiculous and unconstitutional idea. Which is why it stands a good chance of getting to the floor when it should have been laughed off as an absurdity immediately upon submission to committee.