Ag-Gag Laws: Targeting Investigators, Whistleblowers, and Journalists

Pig factory farm, gestation crates“Ag-gag” bills are being introduced around the country in an attempt to censor whistleblowers, investigators, and journalists who expose animal welfare abuses on factory farms and slaughterhouses.

Investigations by groups like the Humane Society, Mercy for Animals, and Compassion Over Killing have exposed shocking animal cruelty and consumer health dangers in the food industry. They have led to the largest meat recall in US history, criminal charges, and international media exposure.

Rather than put a stop to these abuses, corporations are trying to criminalize the whistleblowers who expose them.

Must-read articles about how ag-gag laws affect workers, activists, and journalists:

Television and Radio Interviews

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and ag-gag:

Examples of ag-gag legislation:

Undercover Investigators Speak Out:

–> Sign the petition at Change.org/AgGag!

Here is a full list of recent articles about ag-gag bills:

We did it! Drone on the Farm is fully funded! And #BetterThanPotatoSalad

The potato salad Kickstarter is about supporting the “absurd and mundane.” This project is about coming together around something newsworthy, innovative, and ambitious.

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Fast Company: Drones can get around strict “ag-gag” laws and document horrifying factory farms

Fast Company’s website of “world changing ideas and innovation” features Will Potter’s Kickstarter campaign.

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Farmers Already Threatening to Shoot Down My Drone

I haven’t even purchased the drone yet, and farmers are already threatening to shoot it down.

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Ag Industry Compares My Kickstarter to the “Death Star”

My Kickstarter campaign to purchase drones and investigate factory farms is still going (just hours left!), but the agriculture industry has already taken notice.

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Agriculture Trade Groups Crack Down on Journalists’ Rights

In response, a journalist is fundraising for drones to monitor factory farms.

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CNN: Exposing Animal Cruelty Is Not a Crime

Will Potter argues that “ag-gag” laws are unconstitutional because they threaten journalists who expose factory farms.

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How to Expose America’s Most Secretive Industry

Salon covers Will Potter’s Kickstarter project to use drones to investigate factory farms.

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This Journalist is Launching Drones to Expose Factory Farm Abuse (Video)

Abby Martin speaks with Will Potter about ag-gag laws, and his new Kickstarter project to use drones for aerial investigations.

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Kickstarter fully funded! Announcing new stretch goals to expand the investigation…

The Kickstarter was fully funded in 5 days, and some farmers are already threatening to shoot down the cameras. With your help, we can expand the scope and quality of this investigation…

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International Business Times: “Journalist Eyes The Skies For Factory-Farm Investigations”

“What if you could capture a drone’s eye view of illegal activity on factory farms? One imaginative journalist thinks you can, and he’s enlisting the help of hundreds of Kickstarter backers to make it happen…”

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