News Summary
New York State lawmakers have approved the ‘Keep Police Radio Public Act,’ which ensures credentialed media and emergency services can access encrypted police radio communications. The act, sponsored by State Senator Michael Gianaris, aims to balance police transparency with the protection of sensitive information. It comes after criticism of the NYPD’s decision to encrypt broadcasts, which hindered journalists’ ability to report on breaking news. Advocacy groups support the bill, emphasizing its importance for media access and public safety, as it now awaits Governor Kathy Hochul’s review.
New York State lawmakers voted on Thursday to pass the “Keep Police Radio Public Act,” a legislation designed to ensure that credentialed members of the media and emergency services organizations have access to encrypted police radio communications. The bill has received approval from both the state Senate and Assembly and is now set to be reviewed by Governor Kathy Hochul.
The primary aim of this new legislation is to strike a balance between police transparency and the safeguarding of sensitive information. State Senator Michael Gianaris, who sponsored the Senate version of the bill, highlighted its significance in maintaining a free press by granting journalists essential access to real-time police communications.
Under the proposed act, while credentialed media and emergency services organizations would gain access, there would be specific exceptions to protect sensitive information. This is intended to ensure that the safety of officers, victims, and witnesses is not compromised, addressing concerns previously raised by the New York Police Department (NYPD).
The NYPD had previously enacted a plan in late 2023 to fully encrypt its radio broadcasts, a move that was met with considerable criticism from press advocates and local officials. Critics asserted that encryption had severely hindered journalists’ ability to cover breaking news events and limited the public’s access to crucial information in real-time.
Supporters of the act, including various advocacy groups for the media like the New York Media Consortium, view the legislation as a significant step toward enhancing transparency and promoting public safety. The Assembly passed the bill with a vote of 89-55, while the Senate’s vote was 38-22, mostly aligning with party lines.
Diane Kennedy, president of the New York News Publishers Association, expressed appreciation for the passage of the bill, emphasizing the vital role it plays in enabling public information disclosure. Similarly, Juan-Carlos Rodriguez, vice president of the News Guild of New York, noted that the legislation would foster greater transparency in police operations.
If signed into law by Governor Hochul, the “Keep Police Radio Public Act” will represent a meaningful reform aimed at ensuring media access to police communications, particularly in light of increasing encryption practices across law enforcement agencies. The proposal extends to police agencies throughout the entirety of New York State.
The NYPD has defended its encryption protocols by indicating that making radio transmissions accessible to the press could pose risks to officer safety and compromise the privacy of victims and witnesses. However, the department has not provided clarification on how press misuse of radio transmissions had prompted the encryption decision.
Media professionals, including those in journalism, have raised alarms about the negative implications of encryption policies on their ability to cover critical news events. Concerns over restricted information flow and diminished transparency continue to be a significant topic among media advocates.
As the legislative review process unfolds, Governor Hochul’s office is being urged by advocacy groups to expedite the approval of the bill. The ongoing discussions highlight the importance of fostering communication between law enforcement and the media, aimed at protecting public interests while securing sensitive information.
Following its passage, the “Keep Police Radio Public Act” stands to reshape the relationship between the media and police communications, emphasizing the continued need for transparency in law enforcement processes.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- AM New York
- Wikipedia: Police Radio
- New York Post
- Google Search: Police Radio Transparency
- Spectrum Local News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Policing
- New York Daily News
- Google News: Keep Police Radio Public Act
