CRIM CD-PUBLICATION OF CRIMES
The introduction of HB 2970 would significantly alter the legal landscape governing the public's engagement with criminal activity. By equating the penalties for unlawful publication to those for the crime itself, the bill intends to deter people from sharing violent or illegal acts online, potentially reducing incidences of crime glorification or viral victimization. Conversely, this could also raise questions about freedom of expression and the role of citizens as potential observers or whistleblowers in criminal activities. This is particularly pertinent in contexts where individuals record events to provide evidence for law enforcement purposes.
House Bill 2970, introduced by Rep. Christopher 'C.D' Davidsmeyer, seeks to amend the Criminal Code of 2012 by establishing the offense of unlawful publication of criminal activity. The bill delineates that individuals who knowingly record or broadcast a crime in progress and subsequently post this content on social media are committing an offense. Such acts would incur penalties equivalent to those associated with the crime being recorded and uploaded. Given the rise in social media usage, this law aims to address safety concerns and misuses of recorded criminal activities, ensuring that individuals do not exploit crime incidents for personal or sensational gains.
Although proponents argue that HB 2970 will aid in curtailing the sensationalization of crimes on social media, critics may raise concerns over the implications for free speech and the rights of individuals to document public events. Moreover, the bill provides exceptions for law enforcement activities and acknowledges scenarios where videos may have evidentiary value. The potential unintended consequences of discouraging bystanders from documenting crimes for fear of legal repercussions could undermine community engagement in crime reporting and the effectiveness of citizen-led initiatives for justice.