The War On News

A record of government actions against journalism and fact-based reporting, from the first press laws to today

Incident

United States (Louisiana): 25-foot buffer zone law around police officers, May 2024

United StatesRSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180

Engraving of an empty press briefing room with a lectern and rows of chairs

On May 24, 2024, the governor of Louisiana, a state in the southern United States, Jeff Landry, signed a law that makes it a crime to stay within 25 feet (about 7.6 metres) of a working law enforcement officer after the officer has told a person to step back. The law applies to everyone, including journalists. Supporters described it as protecting officers' safety while they work. On January 31, 2025, a federal judge blocked its enforcement while a challenge to it is decided.1

What happened

On May 24, 2024, the governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, signed a law creating a 25-foot (7.6-metre) zone around working law enforcement officers. Once an officer gives a verbal warning, anyone who stays within that distance commits a crime and can face jail.2341

Nieman Lab, a publication about journalism, reported in August 2024 that the law limits the ability of journalists and bystanders to film police activity, including alleged misconduct, because 25 feet is farther than the distance from which most phone and body-worn video of police encounters is recorded. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a United States non-profit that provides legal help to journalists, added Louisiana guidance to its guide to recording laws.2341

Journalists and civil rights observers challenged the law in federal court.2341

Status as of 2026-09-22: Suspended by court order. A federal judge's preliminary injunction of January 31, 2025, an order that keeps the situation as it is while a case is decided, blocks enforcement (see the January 2025 entry). Louisiana's appeal was reported pending as of mid-2026.4

What reason was given

Stated justification

Supporters described the law as protecting officers' safety while they perform their duties. Landry said on signing it, "This is part of our continued pledge to address public safety."2

What changed for reporting

Journalists and others filming police in Louisiana had to stay at least 25 feet (7.6 metres) away once warned, or face jail, until a federal judge blocked enforcement on January 31, 2025.3

Timeline

2024

24 May 2024
United States (Louisiana): 25-foot buffer zone law around police officers, May 2024

Who acted

NameRole in this incidentOffice at the time
Louisiana LegislaturelegislatedState legislature

Sources

  1. A new Louisiana law limits the right of journalists to film police archived copyNieman Lab, 2024-08-01, reporting. Source record
  2. Reporters Recording Guide: Louisiana archived copyReporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, reporting. Source record
  3. Louisiana law creates 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement officersWVUE Fox 8 (New Orleans), 2024-05-29, reporting. Source record
  4. Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police archived copyYahoo News / AP, 2025-01-31, reporting. Source record
  5. Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for policeLouisiana Illuminator, 2025-01-31, reporting. Source record
  6. HB173, 2024 Regular Session: bill history archived copyLouisiana State Legislature, 2024-05-24, reporting. Source record

Claims and evidence

Each numbered claim quotes the source it rests on.

  1. Governor Jeff Landry signed HB 173 into law as Act No. 259 on May 24, 2024; it took effect on August 1, 2024.05/24 H Effective date: 08/01/2024. 05/24 H Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 259.HB173, 2024 Regular Session: bill history archived copy, Louisiana State Legislature, 2024-05-24.Claim 110, checked 2026-09-22.
  2. The law was framed as protecting officers performing their duties.that person can't spit in my face when I'm making an arrest.A new Louisiana law limits the right of journalists to film police archived copy, Nieman Lab, 2024-08-01.Claim 49, checked 2026-09-22.
  3. People, including journalists, who remain within 25 feet of a working law-enforcement officer after being told to back up can face jail time under the law.People can now face jail time in Louisiana for being within 25 feet of a working law enforcement officer who has asked or ordered them to back up.Louisiana law creates 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement officers, WVUE Fox 8 (New Orleans), 2024-05-29.Claim 50, checked 2026-09-22.
  4. A federal judge later blocked enforcement of the law.The preliminary injunction will be effective while the case is pending.Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police archived copy, Yahoo News / AP, 2025-01-31.Claim 51, checked 2026-09-22.