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WEBVTT Steve -- it's alleging that the "Ag-Gag" Law is Unconstitutional. The questionat hand here is this:... should people be allowed to lie on a job application --- with thesole purpose of using a hiddencamera to uncover animalcruelty.PETA and three other activist groups are suing the state of Iowa -- over the Ag- Gag law. Itmakes it illegal -- to conductundercover animal cruelty investigations. <THEY JUSTWANT TO COME IN AND TRY TO PIECETOGETHER SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD, AND PUT IT IN A BADLIGHT.> Dave Struthers -- speaks on behalf of many farmers... Whenhe says he doesn't want undercover reporters -- working on his farm.<I THINK IT'S ABSOLUTELY WRONG.> Karen andDenny Mckilligan Developnutrional products to help keep animals healthy.<WHAT BUSINESS WOULD WANT SOMEONE INDIRECT OPPOSITION WORKING INTHEIR BUSINESS AS A SECRETAGENT?> But PETA -- disagrees.Take a look at this video --they uncovered -- in an Iowainvestigation.<THE STATE OF IOWA SHOULD BE ASHAMED FORTRYING TO KEEP SECRET THE INHUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS INSLAUGHTER HOUSES AND FACTORYFARMS.> The ACLU -- says this isa first- amendment issue. <HOWIMPORTANT IT IS THAT PEOPLE KNOWWHERE THEIR FOOD IS COMING FROM,HOW WORKERS IN OUR STATES ARE BEING TREATED, WHAT ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS THEREARE, THOSE ARE IMPORTANT THINGS FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW.> Farmersargue the undercover practice --is dishonest. But Fowler and theACLU -- see it differently. <YOU DON'TEVEN HAVE TO DIRECTLY LIE, YOUJUST DON'T HAVE TO TELL THE WHOLE TRUTH.> Farmers likeStruthers argue -- this lawsuit -- is NOT about protectinganimals.<THEY WANT TO CAUSE MORE HASSLES FOR FARMERS. PRIMARILY LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS, ALOT OF THESE GROUPS HAVESOMETHING AGAINST ANIMALPRODUCTION AND ANIMAL CONSUMPTION.> <I THINK IT'S A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY.> Iowa is one of six states topass "Ag-Gag" Laws. Iowa, Missouri and North Carolina are the only ones that still standtoday. Similar laws inIdaho, Utah and Wyoming havebeen struck down. Steve?We continue to follow the story

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Animal rights and free speech organizations have sued the state of Iowa over legislation known as the “ag-gag” law, saying it’s unconstitutional. The Animal Legal Defense Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Center for Food Safety and Public Justice filed the lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Des Moines. “They just want to come in and try to piece together something that doesn’t look good and put it in a bad light,” said farmer Dave Struther, former president of the Iowa Pork Association. The lawsuit challenges a 2012 law that made it illegal to get a job at a livestock farm through misrepresentation to conduct an animal cruelty undercover investigation. Karen McKilligan, along with her husband, develops nutritional products to keep animals healthy. “What business would want someone with malicious intent or someone who is in direct opposition working in their business as a secret agent?” McKilligan said. But the groups claim Iowa's law violates their constitutional free speech and equal protection rights. “The state of Iowa should be ashamed for trying to keep secret the inhumane treatment of animals in slaughterhouses and factory farms,” said Jeff Kerr, general counsel to PETA. “How important it is that people know where their food is coming from, how workers in our states are being treated, what environmental concerns there are?” said Veronica Fowler, communications director for the ACLU of Iowa. “Those are important things for people to know.” Farmers argue the undercover practice is dishonest, but the ACLU argues, “you don’t even have to directly lie. You just don’t have to tell the whole truth.” Struthers said the lawsuit is not about protecting animals but rather causing more hassles for farmers, primarily livestock producers. “A lot of these groups have something against animal production and animal consumption,” Struthers said. “I think it’s a waste of time and money.” The lawsuit names the governor, whose spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to a message, and the attorney general, whose spokesman said they haven't seen the lawsuit. Iowa is one of six states to pass such legislation. Federal courts have struck down similar laws in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.