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Rep. Andy Harris falsely tells journalist that recording him is illegal
MS NOW • • nation
Key Points:
- Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., wrongly told journalist Cat Murphy it was illegal for her to record his press conference and threatened to refer her to a prosecutor, citing Maryland's two-party consent law.
- The law Harris referenced does not apply to journalists recording in public news conferences, where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, a point supported by other reporters present and the Merrill College of Journalism.
- Harris refused to explain why he singled out Murphy for not allowing her to record, despite others recording openly, and eventually left the room frustrated, blaming her for disrupting the opportunity to get answers.
- The Merrill College of Journalism defended Murphy, emphasizing her legal rights as a journalist recording in a public space, and praised her conduct during the confrontation.
- Harris, who has represented Maryland’s 1st Congressional District since 2010, had just finished a debate with his Democratic challenger before the incident occurred.
