There is a bill working its way through the system in Utah that would ban non-competes in Television.

House Bill 241, "prohibits an employer and an employee from entering into a post-employment restrictive covenant if the employer's primary business is news media." No other industries are listed in the legislation.

"I think it goes against what the free market is. I think it’s anti-American, it’s anti the American dream," Rep. Mike Schultz, who drafted the bill said.

Broadcasters are trying to stop the bill from passing. One TV managers told the lawmakers that on air people our products and assets.

Really?

So, is this how you treat your people? As a product?

Former KUTV and KSL consumer reporter Bill Gephardt testified that he has heard from dozens of "miserably treated" media employees with noncompete agreements. He said he couldn't reveal their names because they fear retribution.

"Noncompete clauses have become perverted," he said.

KUTV general manager Kent Crawford said the station spends thousands and thousands of dollars promoting reporters like Gephardt and the recently retired Rod Decker. He said a TV station's assets are its people.

"If you're part of the media, how can you fairly report on some of the abuses that happened with noncompetes, if you're under a noncompete?" Schultz said.

There were some on air people that actually spoke out against getting rid on non-competes. Not sure what the stations promised them to sell out like that?

But, many news people bond by non-competes are wanting to speak out, but fear that they will be part of retaliation efforts.

The very idea that they are afraid of their bosses and their actions, shows exactly why non-competes need to be banned.

So far, the bill passed committee 8-5 and now heads to the House floor.

Let's hope they do the right thing and ban non-competes.

H/T Deseret News