#AccessIndy: Proposed Bill Moving In Indiana Statehouse To Prevent Access To Police Body Camera Video–Reaction/Call To Action [Listen]

Source: Richard Ellis / Getty

The executive director of the Indiana Broadcasters Association, Dave Arland, joined us on Access Indy with Kim Wells to discuss proposed legislation that is moving quickly and quietly through this short 2016 session of the Indiana Legislature that would limit the public’s right to know by making it more difficult for the press and others to access and have copies of police body camera video in this state. House Bill 1019 has moved through a House committee unanimously and before it moves any further, you need to know what’s being proposed and get a chance to weigh in on how it might impact you.

Listen to my interview with Arland and contact your state representative to let them know what you think about its passage. You can also weigh-in on our social media with your thoughts @1067wtlc use hashtag #AccessIndy to continue the discussion.

Listen Below:

BELOW IS A REPOST OF A STORY FROM JAN. 21, 2016 COVERED BY #WTLCIndyNews AS SEEN ON tlcnaptown.com DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE:

Journalists and others are keeping a close eye on lawmakers at the Indiana statehouse. There’s a new plan, House Bill 1019, that’s been introduced in this short session that would impact news gathering and the public’s right to know in the case of recordings from police body cameras here in Indiana. This bill would require newsrooms to get a court order to view any video from a police body camera. It has already sailed through a House committee where the members voted unanimously to pass it. These lawmakers are trying to write the rules for the camera’s recordings spelling out who can, and who can’t, view the video. This is a critical issue as you’ve recently seen around the country where the videos show police acting improperly –or handling situations correctly on the job–particularly in relation to interacting with black suspects and policing the black community. The Indiana Broadcasters Association says forcing journos to get a court order is in direct opposition to the state’s freedom of information laws already on the books. In a press release, Dave Crooks, chairman of the board of the IBA, which represents more than 300 radio and TV broadcasters across Indiana said, “This outrageous proposal takes government secrecy to a new level, keeping public records completely under wrap.” The bill was introduced by state Rep. Kevin Mahan (R-Hartford City). In this state, government agencies must make public records available for public inspection. If the government agency denies the request, the denial must be reasonable and tied to an ongoing investigation.

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To read this proposed legislation for yourself, click HERE for Indiana House Bill 1019.

Rep. Kevin Mahan’s office was contacted for an interview. After speaking with his representative, Mahan, nor his rep followed through honoring the request.