On June 8, 2026, the Wisconsin Senate approved a controversial new media law that will significantly restrict public access to police body camera footage. The bill, known as Senate Bill 789, was passed by a vote of 23-10 and has been met with fierce opposition from media organizations and civil rights groups.Under the new law, police departments in Wisconsin will no longer be required to release body camera footage to the public unless a court orders its release. Previously, Wisconsin had some of the most open records laws in the country when it came to police body camera footage, with the footage being considered a public record that could be requested by anyone.Proponents of the bill argue that it will protect the privacy of individuals captured in police body camera footage and prevent the spread of potentially harmful or sensitive material. However, opponents see it as a dangerous erosion of transparency and accountability in law enforcement.Critics of the bill also argue that it will make it much more difficult for the public to hold police officers accountable for their actions, as access to crucial evidence of police misconduct will now be severely limited. They fear that this could lead to an increase in police brutality and misconduct, as officers may feel less accountable knowing that their actions are less likely to be scrutinized by the public.In addition to restricting access to police body camera footage, Senate Bill 789 also includes provisions that will make it easier for law enforcement agencies to redact or withhold other types of records, such as incident reports and photographs. This further limits the ability of the public and the media to hold police departments accountable for their actions.The bill will now move on to the Wisconsin Assembly for consideration, where it is expected to be met with strong opposition. If passed by the Assembly and signed into law by the governor, the new media law will mark a significant shift in the state's approach to transparency and accountability in law enforcement.