Social Influencer Emilie Kiser Files Lawsuit to Block Release of Public Records After Son’s Drowning Tragedy: Arizona Court Issues Temporary Ban

The Other Side

On the other hand, media organizations and open-government advocates point out that public records laws exist for a reason: to allow the public (including journalists) to scrutinize how police and public officials handle cases, especially those involving sudden or accidental deaths.

Public records advocates argue, that these type of records are necessary for the public to  hold officials accountable, even when the details are uncomfortable or tragic.

A National Conversation on Privacy and Public Records

Cases like Kiser’s are becoming more common in the age of viral news and online influencers. Families caught in the media glare—whether due to tragedy or controversy—often seek protection from the unrelenting gaze of both mainstream and social media.

Arizona’s laws give courts wide latitude to balance these competing interests. Past rulings have recognized that privacy concerns sometimes outweigh the public’s right to know, especially where victims are minors or the records contain intensely graphic details.