GOP calls it "Stop Nick Shirley Act" but the bigger concern is CA trying to stifle watchdog and investigative journalism

 

California has some of the strongest protections for journalists, including freelancers and independent journalists.

That will be jeopardized if AB 2624 introduced by California Assemblymember Mialisa "Mia" Bonta, wife of California Attorney General Rob Bonta becomes law.

How people feel about it depends on political affiliation. Independent thinkers will have varying opinions depending on how involved they are in politics, their own experiences with government in California.

Other than Cal Matters, information on this has been from GOP CA elected officials or conservative news outlets. Did you read about this in other local media outlets who run cookie cutter content and only certain CAL Matters columns?

This does raise First Amendment concerns and it can be used against any citizen journalist. The timing of this bill exposes California Democrats. They are not about freedom of speech, freedom of press and if this legislation passes; they are saying they are dictating that certain people are above the law.

The only "kings" are Rob Bonta, Gavin Newsom and California Democrat. They are hypocrites for suing the Trump administration.

California Assemblymember Carl DeMaio said the bill is " not about public safety — it’s about protecting powerful interests. If this bill becomes law, the message is clear to every journalist in California: expose corruption and you will be punished. AB 2624 is an unconstitutional direct attack on transparency and the First Amendment – and it needs to be defeated.”