Freelance Journalists, Photographers Sue Over California Law (1)

Freelance journalists and photographers sued California over a new worker classification law that they claim hinders their free speech rights.

The federal lawsuit filed Dec. 17 is the latest volley in the fight over who is an employee under California’s worker-protection laws and who is an independent contractor.

American Society of Journalists and Authors Inc. and the National Press Photographers Association members are writers, editors, still photographers, and visual journalists who claim they’re being harmed by Assembly Bill 5. The law, effective Jan. 1, uses a three-part test to determine when someone is an employee or an independent contractor. ...