MDDC Press Association Applauds Governor Wes Moore’s Executive Order to Strengthen Local News in Maryland October 16, 2026 – Today, Governor Wes Moore took a strong step forward to strengthen and sustain local news in Maryland by issuing Executive Order 01.01.2026.20, Directing State Media and Advertising Procurement Spending to Maryland News Organizations. The executive order requires Maryland state agencies to prioritize local news organizations for at least 50 percent of their advertising spending, ensuring public dollars are reinvested in Maryland’s local information ecosystem. The policy applies broadly to print, digital, and broadcast outlets, recognizing the full range of platforms that serve Maryland communities. “This executive order reflects a practical shift in how we support local news,” said Rebecca Snyder, Executive Director of the MDDC Press Association. “It recognizes that local news is essential infrastructure for communities and treats it that way. By directing existing resources more intentionally, Maryland is strengthening the systems people rely on for timely, fact-based information. It also changes the conversation: sustainable support for local media can be built into everyday government operations.” Local journalism remains one of the few institutions dedicated to covering school boards, county governments, public safety, elections, housing, economic development, and the daily issues that shape residents’ lives. When local news organizations disappear, communities lose accountability, civic participation declines, and misinformation fills the vacuum. The executive order, based on Senate Bill 459 sponsored by Senator Jim Rosapepe and overwhelmingly passed by Maryland’s general assembly in the 2026 session, recognizes that state government advertising can serve two purposes at once: effectively communicate with Maryland residents and strengthen the trusted local institutions that help those residents stay informed. Local news organizations play a central role in connecting residents with reliable information, supporting civic participation, and helping communities stay informed about issues that affect daily life. This executive order reinforces that role by aligning public spending with the local media infrastructure that serves Marylanders. About MDDC Press Association The Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association (MDDC) represents a diverse network of local news organizations across the region, including daily and weekly newspapers, digital-first outlets, and broadcast partners. MDDC members provide essential local information that supports communities, businesses, and public engagement. The association works to strengthen the sustainability of local news and ensure that residents across Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. have access to reliable, community-focused reporting.

MDDC Press Association Condemns Rep. Harris’ Treatment of Reporter Cat Murphy October 14, 2026 - The MDDC Press Association believes U.S. Rep. Andy Harris should apologize to Capital News Service reporter Cat Murphy for trying to shut down her reporting after misrepresenting Maryland’s law about recording. Murphy was part of a group of reporters who covered a debate Tuesday evening between Harris and his Democratic challenger, Dan Schwartz. While a media scrum asked Harris questions, as seen on a video clip, he singled out Murphy and told her she didn’t have permission to record his comments. He said that because Maryland is a two-party consent state — all people in a conversation must consent before they can be recorded — Murphy was violating the law. But Murphy knew the law and didn’t bend, trying to explain to Harris why he was wrong. Harris wouldn’t relent and called for a police officer. To be clear, Harris was wrong in claiming: “She needs my approval to record.” This situation was a clear, obvious example of when two-party consent does not apply — a public space, with no expectation of privacy. See the video at https://www.instagram.com/p/DeeZtuoRe7N/ Harris has been in that position many times before, with journalists recording him as they report his comments. He should know better, and if he doesn't, he should learn. The Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association is happy to help work with him and his office to understand this law, which is critically important for the practice of journalism. Harris should have listened to Murphy when she tried to reason with him, pointing out that the group of journalists were all recording him in a public space and he was ordering one of them to turn off their recording device. We are disappointed in Harris and strongly support Murphy, who was better informed than the congressman she was covering. The MDDC Press Association calls on Harris and all elected officials and candidates for office to respect both the letter and the spirit of press freedom protections and to reaffirm their commitment to the First Amendment. A free press is not an obstacle to democracy—it is essential to its survival. MDDC champions local news media organizations and advocates for press freedom. We stand with journalists and advocate for freedom of the press, ethical standards, and the rights of media professionals to do their work without fear, harassment or violence. *** The transcript: CONGRESSMAN ANDY HARRIS: You do not have my permission to record. If you record, we will refer you to the prosecutor. REPORTER CAT MURPHY: Everyone in here is recording HARRIS: But you are not allowed to. We are in a two-party state. You are not allowed to record. MURPHY: Why am I not allowed to? HARRIS: What, excuse me? MURPHY: Why am I not allowed to? HARRIS: Because I refuse to give you permission to do recording. MURPHY: If everyone else in this room. HARRIS: It doesn't make it– MURPHY: Can you please hold my phone? HARRIS: Do you know the law? UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: What’s your question? UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: With due respect, this is a public forum UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Are you a lawyer? HARRIS: Are you? REPORTER: You're a doctor. HARRIS: Yeah actually I'm a legislator yeah I actually I actually know the law well because we have to prosecute — MURPHY: You said that you wanted the war in Iran, you said that it could have gone smoother and it could've gone better. What did you mean by that? HARRIS: Take her camera. You're gonna have to take her camera. She is violating the law. In fact, get an officer in here. She's violating the law on two-party, two-party recording. We need an officer. UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Excuse me, isn’t that just for telephone communication? I don’t know the law but that’s just a recording. HARRIS: Video and audio, and video have to have two-party approval in Maryland now they may not have to have it in Washington DC. They have to it in Maryland. She needs my approval to record. That's why when she did it, it makes no difference whatsoever. MURPHY: Sir, we are in public. We're in public. HARRIS: We are not in a public facility. MURPHY: Congressman, you said that you supported the First Amendment. What does this say about that? HARRIS: All right, guys. UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Congressman Harris. HARRIS: She's ruining all your chances to get an answer about anything. See y'all. See y'all. Good night. Thank her. Thank her profusely.