Iowa House Bill HF2499

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/24
• Refer: 2/14/24

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the publication of synthetic media concerning an election, and providing penalties.

Impact

The legislation establishes clear penalties for those who violate its provisions, varying from simple misdemeanors to class D felonies depending on the intent and timing of the offense. This significant legal framework aims to provide candidates with more tools to protect their reputations and election integrity by allowing them to seek injunctive relief against violators. Additionally, the bill includes exemptions for certain media organizations acting in good faith, emphasizing the importance of journalistic integrity while balancing the need for regulation.

Summary

House File 2499 addresses the challenges posed by synthetic media, particularly in the context of elections. This bill prohibits the publication of deceptive and fraudulent deepfakes, which are defined as synthetic media that misrepresents candidates or political parties in a way that could injure their reputations or deceive voters, within 90 days of an election. HF2499 emphasizes a strict approach toward misinformation in the electoral process, aiming to mitigate the risks associated with manipulated media content that could influence voter behavior negatively.

Contention

Notably, this bill presents several points of contention among legislators and stakeholders. Supporters argue that these regulations are necessary to uphold the integrity of elections, particularly as digital media landscapes evolve. Critics, however, caution that the definitions of deceptive deepfakes could be subjective and lead to overreach, potentially stifling free speech and creative expressions such as satire. There is also concern about how the bill may impact legitimate news reporting and commentary on political candidates, creating a chilling effect in media coverage ahead of elections.