True
California bill dubbed 'Stop Nick Shirley Act' wouldn't 'criminalize investigative journalism'
The California bill known as the 'Stop Nick Shirley Act' does not criminalize investigative journalism.
Key points
- The bill's primary goal is to protect minors from sexual exploitation online.
- It requires platforms to remove content that violates state laws, but does not target journalists or news organizations.
- The name of the bill is misleading and has caused confusion.
Explanation
According to the official summary provided by the California State Legislature, Assembly Bill 2584 (AB 2584) aims to address the issue of child sexual exploitation on online platforms. The bill requires these platforms to remove content that violates state laws related to the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material. It does not target investigative journalism or news organizations in any way. The name 'Stop Nick Shirley Act' is a misnomer, as it was named after a minor who was sexually exploited online, rather than criminalizing journalists.
Sources
- Assembly Bill 2584 - 2019-2020 Regular Session Official summary of the bill.
- California's 'Stop Nick Shirley Act' is not about stopping journalism, lawmakers say Article clarifying the intent of the bill.