National

SC lawmaker proposes registry for journalists

By Cassie Cope

ccope@thestate.com

January 19, 2016 04:33 PM

The South Carolina State House in Columbia, SC, where a bill was filed Tuesday that would “establish requirements for persons before working as a journalist for a media outlet and for media outlets before hiring a journalist.”
The South Carolina State House in Columbia, SC, where a bill was filed Tuesday that would “establish requirements for persons before working as a journalist for a media outlet and for media outlets before hiring a journalist.” Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
The South Carolina State House in Columbia, SC, where a bill was filed Tuesday that would “establish requirements for persons before working as a journalist for a media outlet and for media outlets before hiring a journalist.” Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
COLUMBIA, S.C.

State Rep. Mike Pitts, R-Laurens, filed a bill in the S.C. House on Tuesday to establish a “responsible journalism registry” to be operated by the S.C. secretary of state.

Details of the proposal were not available Tuesday, only a summary.

That summary says the bill would “establish requirements for persons before working as a journalist for a media outlet and for media outlets before hiring a journalist.” The summary also includes registration fees, and sets fines and criminal penalties for violations.

The proposed registry “is ridiculous and totally unconstitutional,” said Bill Rogers, executive director of the S.C. Press Association. The State newspaper is a member of the Press Association.

The government can not require journalists to register, Rogers said, citing the First Amendment to the Bill of Rights, which ensures freedom of the press.

Cassie Cope: 803-771-8657, @cassielcope

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