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:

Legalizing Animal Abuse? HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle and Will Potter Discuss Ag-Gag Laws

Al Jazeera TV features a discussion with Will Potter and Wayne Pacelle on ag-gag bills.

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Democracy Now! Debate: After Activists Expose Animal Cruelty, Should They Be Targeted With “Ag-Gag” Laws?

Democracy Now with Amy Goodman devoted its entire program to “ag-gag” bills that criminalize undercover investigators and whistleblowers, including a debate between Will Potter and an industry representative.

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Breaking: New Ag-Gag Bill Introduced in North Carolina on Same Day Butterball Worker Pleads Guilty to Cruelty

North Carolina is the latest state to consider a new law targeting whistleblowers, undercover investigators, and journalists who expose factory farms. The legislation was introduced on the same day that a fifth Butterball employee pled guilty to criminal cruelty to animals — charges that wouldn’t be possible without the undercover investigations that bills like this aim to […]

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Indiana Bill Would Make It Illegal to Expose Factory Farms, Clearcutting and Fracking

Indiana lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it illegal to photograph or videotape things like factory farming, clear-cutting forests, mining, and fracking.

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Upcoming Speaking Events at Georgetown Law, UNC, Miami, NYU, and More

Upcoming public lectures about “ag-gag” bills, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, and ALEC.

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VICE: “New laws make it safer to beat the shit out of chickens”

A detailed look at “ag-gag” bills pushed by the factory farming industry to silence whistleblowers and journalists.

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“This is an industry that wants to operate in total secrecy, and with total immunity” (video)

Abby Martin interviews Will Potter about ag-gag bills for her show “Breaking the Set.”

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NPR Interviews Will Potter on “Ag Gag” Bills, and Labeling Whistleblowers as “Terrorists”

I’m a huge fan of NPR’s “On the Media.” It’s hands-down some of the sharpest, most comprehensive coverage of free speech, privacy, and media issues. So I was thrilled to be back on the program recently talking about “ag gag” bills that threaten undercover investigators, whistleblowers, and even journalists. As NPR’s Brooke Gladstone notes, undercover […]

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Big Ag Wants to Rewrite the Law So That You’ll Never See This

This wave of “ag-gag” bills would criminalize whistleblowers, investigators, and journalists who expose animal welfare abuses at factory farms and slaughterhouses.

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Sam Seder Interviews Will Potter for The Majority Report (audio)

Sam Seder interviews Will Potter about corporations targeting environmental activists as terrorists, and why the FBI is ignoring right-wing groups.

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