Thu. Oct 23rd, 2025

A heated First Amendment audit in Panama City took an unexpected turn when a popular independent journalist known online as Press NH Now was allegedly assaulted during a routine public recording. What began as a peaceful audit soon turned into a full-blown confrontation that had both officers and bystanders stunned.

The video — now making rounds across social media — shows the auditor calmly filming near a government building, documenting police vehicles parked in public view. Everything appears normal until a police officer suddenly confronts him, demanding to know why he’s filming.

“Because I can,” the cameraman replies confidently. “It’s public property.”

Moments later, the tone shifts. The officer steps forward, appearing irritated. The filmer repeats that he’s exercising his constitutional right to record in public, a principle upheld by multiple U.S. court rulings. But instead of de-escalating, the situation quickly escalates.

Viewers were stunned when the officer allegedly pushed the cameraman’s arm, trying to knock the phone away. The camera shakes violently for a second before stabilizing again. You can hear the filmer say, “You just assaulted me — that’s not okay!”

The confrontation draws the attention of bystanders, who step closer and begin recording as well. Another officer approaches, seemingly unsure how to handle the scene. One woman can be heard saying, “He didn’t do anything wrong — he’s allowed to record!”

After the clip went viral, charges were reportedly filed against the officer, sparking a wave of public outrage. Many viewers praised the cameraman for staying calm under pressure, while others criticized law enforcement for overstepping boundaries.

Legal experts later weighed in on the footage, confirming that citizens have a clear right to film public officials in the performance of their duties, as long as they don’t interfere. “The right to record is one of the strongest First Amendment protections,” said one attorney. “Any attempt to suppress that — especially with force — crosses a legal line.”

The auditor later released a follow-up statement thanking his supporters and encouraging others to keep filming when they see potential rights violations. “This isn’t about hate or anger,” he said. “It’s about accountability and education.”

Online reactions poured in fast. One commenter wrote, “That officer needs retraining — or better yet, accountability.” Another added, “This is why filming in public matters. Without that camera, we’d never know what really happened.”

Panama City Police have not yet confirmed the status of the investigation, but the department released a short statement saying they are reviewing the incident internally.

For First Amendment supporters, this video has become another reminder of how important it is to stand firm, stay calm, and know your rights.

As the clip closes, the cameraman turns his lens back toward the scene and says a single line that has since gone viral:

“You can take my picture — but you can’t take my rights.”

📸💥 A moment that proves: knowledge is power.

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