AB 2624 Sparks Free Speech Debate | Fresno News

California’s Capitol is roiling over a new law, AB 2624, signed by Governor Newsom and set to hit in 2027 — sparking outrage from Republicans and journalist Nick Shirley, who claims it’s a targeted crackdown on free speech and investigative reporting. Critics rallied under “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” accusing lawmakers of silencing truth-tellers exposing immigration fraud, while supporters insist the bill simply shields vulnerable service providers from harassment and doxxing. Shirley argues politicians are attacking whistleblowers instead of fraudsters, raising First Amendment alarms — but Assemblymember Bonta and the Governor deny any intent to silence journalism, insisting the law protects privacy without restricting public access or press freedoms. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/7cf87be065c99f98