Idaho AgGag Law Struck Down as Unconstitutional

by Will Potter / Green is the New Red

A U.S. District Court has struck down Idaho’s “ag-gag” law as an unconstitutional attempt by the agriculture industry to silence journalists, animal advocates, and whistleblowers who expose cruel farming practices.

The damning ruling—the first of its kind—spells trouble for the agriculture industry’s attempts in other state to outlaw photography and video recordings of animal welfare, workers’ rights, and environmental violations.

The ag-gag law “gives agricultural facility owners veto power, allowing owners to decide what can and cannot be recorded, effectively turning them into state-backed censors able to silence unfavorable speech about their facilities,” Judge Lyn Winmill said in the ruling.

The lawsuit was brought by the Animal Legal Defense Fund and PETA, working with plaintiffs including undercover investigators, Farm Forward, and myself as a journalist.

A wide-range of organizations supported the lawsuit by filing amicus briefs. They represented food safety, environmental, labor, whistleblower, and journalism organizations.

Read the rest at GreenistheNewRed.com

Check out these related Newswire posts: