Arizona Shoots Down ‘Blame The Messenger’ Bill

Senate Judiciary Committee Nixes Law Blaming Content Providers For Violent Crimes

By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 4/9/2008 9:51:00 AM

Cable and other content providers successfully lobbied against an Arizona bill that could have made print and electronic publishers liable for the acts of viewers if it was determined that they were inspired to commit a crime due to the content they viewed.

The bill was defeated late April 7 in the face of testimony from a variety of trade groups and First Amendment advocates. Even the National Rifle Association opposed the bill for fear gun dealers could be held liable for advertising legal firearms, according to Susan Bitter Smith, executive director of the Arizona-New Mexico Cable Television Association.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Warde Nichols, R-Gilbert, who was inspired by the complaint of a constituent concerned about pornography on the Internet.

"But the bill draft was far overreaching," said Bitter Smith.

The draft sought to make businesses liable for damages if publishers, producers or distributors offer material that could encourage individuals to commit acts of terrorism or felonies. A print or electronic publisher could be sued anytime in the two years following the individual’s conviction.

The bill passed a House vote but was rejected on a 4-2 vote in the state Senate's Judiciary Committee.