Rep Andy Harris threatens to have student journalist prosecuted for recording press conference

Rep.

Andy Harris, R-Md., incorrectly insisted that a University of Maryland student journalist was violating state law when she recorded him at a news conference, threatening to refer her to prosecutors during a heated exchange after a debate Tuesday.

Speaking in a crowded hallway after an October 13 debate with Democratic challenger Dan Schwartz, Harris demanded that University of Maryland student journalist Cat Murphy stop recording the news conference, arguing that Maryland's two-party consent law required his permission.

He was annoyed that she defended a reporter from the Baltimore Banner, who had irked him with a "silly" question about why he participated in the debate.

"You do not have my permission to record.

If you record, we will refer you to the prosecutor," Harris told Murphy, who responded that other journalists were already recording the news conference.

PRESS FREEDOM GROUPS THAT BLASTED TRUMP TURN FIRE ON DEM GOVERNOR OVER ALLEGED MEDIA RETALIATION "But you are not allowed to.

We are in a two-party state, you are not allowed to," an agitated Harris said while pointing in the student’s face.

The student asked why she, specifically, wasn’t allowed to record and Harris continued to grow frustrated.

"Because I refuse to give you permission to record," Harris said.

"Do you know the law?" The student attempted to have a different journalist hold her recording device, and a separate reporter tried to explain to Harris that the interview was occurring in a public forum.

"I’m a legislator… I actually know the law well," Harris insisted.

VIDEO SHOWS MAINE WIRE REPORTER NEARLY BEING RUN OVER BY CAR AFTER CONFRONTATION Murphy then tried to question Harris, who represents Maryland's 1st Congressional District, about the war in Iran .

"You’re going to have to take her camera," Harris said to someone in the room.