"Basically, it is the (concealed weapons permit) law with journalists and pens instead of guns," State Rep. Mike Pitts tells the Greenwood, S.C., Index-Journal.

Source: Journalist-Registration Bill Is Modeled On Gun Law, S.C. Lawmaker Says | Texas Public Radio

Last month, Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau seemed to acknowledge the role the media can play in cases of potential officer misconduct. Previously, her office had refused to release to the media even a basic incident report of a fatal deputy-involved shooting.

That day, after a grand jury declined to indict two deputies in the shooting of Gilbert Flores, Pamerleau told a roomful of reporters that “times have changed … and going forward, we may make different decisions on information, on whether it’s releasable or not.”

A special prosecutor investigating the possible violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act by certain members of Montgomery County Commissioners Court as well as other community members said he hopes to have all his documents to a seated grand jury in January.