• by Ray Schultz , Columnist, Yesterday

Journalists have faced threats from politicians, exclusion from events and even physical violence by extremists. California, which has been known for its support of media organizations, now has a trio of bills that would protect reporters.

“The real danger is that today’s shocking abuses of power become routine, permanent parts of tomorrow’s political culture,” says Assemblywoman Maggie Krell (D-Sacramento) in a statement. “My generation of leaders still has the choice of whether we strengthen and renew our democracy or let it wither away right under our noses.” 

Krell’s three bills include:

• AB 1545 would create stronger criminal penalties for targeted attacks against reporters and other representatives of the press. An offender could face up to a year in jail for a misdemeanor, and up to three years for a felony, plus fines. Violence against journalists has been on the rise—Kell cites a drive-by shooting at the ABC 10 studios in Sacramento that  allegedly was politically motivated under this bill. 
• AB 1538 would mandate the removal from office of any official who misuses their authority to exact political retribution. That would protect any person exercising their constitutional rights. 
• AB 1544 would ensure access for authorized journalists to courtrooms, court facilities and any other place where court proceedings are taking place. Police and court officers would be prohibited from denying or preventing their entry. 

We have one slight issue with 1544: it protects access for “authorized”  journalists, meaning those with jobs and police press cards, judging by a synopsis from Krell's office. But what about independent creators trying to cover some of the same events? Indeed, all citizens deserve access to courtrooms.

But let’s leave the last word to Krell, who wants to “leave behind something better.”

That means “standing up for an independent press, standing up for independent courts, and ensuring that no official who abuses their office to settle personal scores is allowed to remain,” she says.