NewsVine_Mariyam
Platinum Member
When I first heard about this bill I thought that it would be nice if there were consequences for intentionally lying about specific occurrences for the purpose of furthering some agenda But when I again heard about it on the news tonight, it caused a little unease.
The law, if passed, is restricted to only public officials so no private citizens, and it would appear to be tied to their official duties.
I'd love to hear arguments both for and against. Please remember this is the clean debate zone, thank you.
The law, if passed, is restricted to only public officials so no private citizens, and it would appear to be tied to their official duties.
I'd love to hear arguments both for and against. Please remember this is the clean debate zone, thank you.
Inslee testifies in support of bill that makes spreading election result misinformation illegalOLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington lawmakers heard testimony Friday on a proposed bill that would make it illegal for public officials to spread misinformation about election results within the state.The Senate State Government and Elections Committee held a public hearing Friday morning on Senate Bill 5843, which is supported by Gov. Jay Inslee.SB 5843, introduced by Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle, would make it a gross misdemeanor for public officials and candidates to knowingly spread misinformation about election results in the state. It would be punishable by up to 364 days in jail.”This is not just our recent past, it is our future if we do not act," Gov. Jay Inslee told Senators during the online hearing Friday morning.”We cannot afford and we should not have to endure another insurrection like Jan. 6, 2021," said Inslee. "We know what powered, what fueled, what precipitated that insurrection. It was these lies that politicians must be held accountable for.”A number of people testified against the bill raising concerns about preserving free speech.”No one should fear voicing an opinion about an election or challenging the status of an election out of fear of misdemeanor, jail time or a fine," said Laurie Buhler, a resident of Wenatchee.Paul Guppy, with the Washington Policy Center, told senators the bill would not increase confidence in elections."It actually creates more suspicion when people are not allowed to debate the outcome of elections honestly," said Guppy.