Rep. Andy Harris wrongly claims student journalist violated state law by recording press conference
The Maryland Republican threatened to refer the University of Maryland student journalist to prosecutors for recording him, but state law only requires consent for private conversations.
Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., incorrectly asserted that a University of Maryland student journalist was violating state law by recording him at a press conference and threatened to refer her to prosecutors during a contentious exchange.
The incident occurred on October 13, after a debate in Cambridge, Maryland, where Harris engaged with University of Maryland student journalist Cat Murphy. Harris demanded that Murphy stop recording, claiming it required his permission under Maryland's two-party consent law.
"You do not have my permission to record. If you record, we will refer you to the prosecutor," Harris told Murphy. He became agitated when she pointed out that other journalists were already recording the event. Harris insisted, "But you are not allowed to. We are in a two-party state, you are not allowed to."
Murphy attempted to clarify the situation, and another reporter informed Harris that the news conference was taking place in a public forum. Harris, however, maintained that he, as a legislator, knew the law and that the location made no difference.
"Because I refuse to give you permission to record," Harris stated. "Do you know the law?"
He further instructed someone nearby to "take her camera" and reiterated his demand for an officer to address Murphy's alleged violation of the two-party recording law.
Contrary to Harris's claims, Maryland's consent requirement for recording applies only to "private conversations," according to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. The exchange was captured on video and widely shared online.
Murphy, a master's student at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism, was working for Capital News Service. The college's dean, Rafael Lorente, defended Murphy's actions, stating, "Cat recorded openly in a public space alongside other news outlets, and that is her legal right."
Harris's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Murphy told CNN that she had sought clarification from Harris regarding his earlier comments about the war in Iran during the debate.
Harris represents Maryland's 1st Congressional District and is the sole Republican member of Maryland's congressional delegation. The footage of the exchange drew reactions from various journalists and social media users.