Politicians learned decades ago that they could tax and regulate certain filmmakers.  The problem is that too many bureaucrats and cops don’t know or understand the law.  The First Amendment absolutely protects anyone involved with news or opinion publishing and broadcasting.   That of course includes those publishing and posting various forms of media on the web.  They cannot regulate home video projects not intended for profit either. The permit laws can only apply to commercial projects such as entertainment films or commercials.  If you’re gathering news video or B-roll and some officious jerk demands to see your film permit you can tell him it’s at the very top of the Bill of Rights .  If he still has questions tell him to visit his local library to read a copy.  Of course you should tell him your gathering news material but you need not tell him anything about the news story your working on. They may even try to bully ...