Identifying themselves as ‘First Amendment Auditors’ and ‘Citizen Journalists’, these individuals are increasingly making their presence felt on social media and in public spaces. The trend is growing, and in response, instructions on how to react have been disseminated to 50,000 state employees.
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‘First Amendment Auditors’ are individuals who test the limits of their First Amendment rights, particularly the right to film in public spaces, often by recording their interactions with law enforcement and government employees. They aim to evaluate and highlight whether authorities respect their right to film in public, which is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. These audits are usually shared on social media platforms to raise public awareness about civil liberties and potential infringements on these rights.
Based on the recent search results, some popular ‘First Amendment Auditors’ on YouTube include:
- ANTHONY X 1st Amendment Audits
- Tyrant Terminator Audits
- James Madison Audits
- 1st Amendment Education
- Pepperoni Audits
First Amendment Auditors have faced criticism for a variety of reasons. Some people, including law enforcement and government officials, view their activities as confrontational or provocative, often causing unnecessary tension or conflict. There’s a perspective that these auditors are not just exercising their rights but are intentionally trying to provoke reactions for content, which can lead to situations escalating unnecessarily.
Further, there is criticism about the potential for misinformation. Not all auditors are fully informed or educated about the laws they claim to be testing, leading to potential misunderstandings about the First Amendment and its scope.
Finally, some critics argue that the auditors’ actions can interfere with the duties of law enforcement or other public services, potentially hindering them from performing their roles effectively. This criticism is particularly strong when auditors film in sensitive areas like police stations or government buildings, potentially causing security concerns.