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Judge rules Utah’s ‘ag-gag’ law unconstitutional

A federal judge has struck down Utah’s “ag gag” law prohibiting unauthorized filming of agricultural operations.

The judge sided with animal rights activists who claimed the statute violated free-speech rights.

Utah’s “agriculture operation interference” law was approved in 2012 by the state’s legislature. It prohibited lying to gain access to a livestock operation, made secret recording illegal and required permission from the owner for someone who wishes to film.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund, which was a plaintiff in the case, predicted the ruling could lead to the end of similar laws in other states, although Utah officials are considering their options in terms of responding to the ruling, according to report in the Salt Lake City Tribune.