South Carolina Lawmaker Calls For Journalism Registry, Background Checks

Jan 22, 2016, 4:05pm CT

South Carolina state Rep. Mike Pitts, R-Laurens, speaks on the floor of the South Carolina House during debate over a Senate bill calling for the Confederate battle flag to be removed from the statehouse grounds Wednesday, July 8, 2015, in Columbia, S.C. (John Bazemore/AP)

South Carolina Lawmaker Calls For Journalism Registry, Background Checks

Jan 22, 2016, 4:05pm CT

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A state lawmaker in South Carolina is calling for mandatory background checks and a registry for journalists. Rep. Mike Pitts, a Republican, introduced the legislation on Tuesday.

The “South Carolina Responsible Journalism Registry Law,” which is patterned after gun registration laws, is raising First Amendment concerns.

Here & Now’s Jeremy Hobson speaks with NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik about the bill.

See more media analysis from David Folkenflik

Guest

David Folkenflik, media correspondent for NPR. He tweets @davidfolkenflik.