Weakened Media Shield Law Passes House

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A law important to First Amendent freedoms for journalists that was watered-down by the House Judiciary Committee passed the full House Thursday (Feb. 14).

The bill, House Bill 622, now heads to the Senate. It makes permanent the state’s Shield Law.

Reps. Gene Ward and Gregg Takayama, in their floor remarks, expressed concern for the weakening of a free press law that benefits not just lawmakers and journalists, but the general public good. Takayama is a former journalist now in his first term in the House.

Only Rep. Faye Hahohano voted against HB 622.

Read Civil Beat’s recent reporting on the legislation.

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Photo courtesy Lisa Padilla.

—Chad Blair

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