Harris says Murphy's recording violates the law
Andy HarrisU.S. representative for Maryland's 1st District
Harris says Murphy is breaking Maryland's two-party consent law by recording him and calls for an officer.
Responding to
Maryland's recording law prohibits Murphy from recording Harris at the briefing without his permission.
“She is violating the law.”
Reporting
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Andy Harris warns reporter Cat Murphy of a prosecutor referral over recording a press briefing
Rep. Andy Harris told Capital News Service reporter Cat Murphy to stop recording an October 13, 2026, post-debate press briefing in Cambridge, Maryland. He said she was violating the law, threatened a prosecutor referral and asked for an officer. Harris invoked Maryland's two-party consent rule, and other reporters in the room disputed it. The Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association later said his reading of the rule was wrong. Rep. Jamie Raskin criticized the attempt to stop a journalist recording public remarks.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Stella Guzik and Kyra Ceryanek report the exchange and Harris's legal claim.
Reporting
About this source
ABC News account of the exchange, with Harris's remarks transcribed from video recorded by a Banner photojournalist.
Before the quotation
Harris told Murphy she did not have his permission to record and that she would be referred to a prosecutor if she did. Other journalists said there was no expectation of privacy at the public event. When Murphy again asked about the Iran war, Harris told someone in the room to take her camera.
After the quotation
Harris then called for an officer. When Murphy said they were in public, he said that made no difference, and he ended the question session soon after.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Harris supplies a legal justification for his own attempt to stop the recording and threaten prosecution.
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- Harris says Murphy's recording violates the law
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The Dispute Index. "Harris says Murphy's recording violates the law". First published: 2026-10-15. Last updated: 2026-10-15. https://disputeindex.com/events/5748-harris-says-murphy-is-breaking-maryland-s-two