Mel Gibson scandal prompts Calif. law against chequebook journalism

California's state assembly has passed abill aimed at stopping police from selling information about celebrities who get in trouble with the law.

The law was prompted by Mel Gibson's public humiliation after being arrested for drunk driving last summer.

Celebrity news website TMZ.com posted an arrest report on the actor and director the day of the arrest, including details of an anti-Semitic tirade Gibson made to the arresting officer.

"Mel Gibson was one of those cases where information was given out before his due process was executed," said California assembly member Julia Brown, who drafted the legislation.

The director of Apocalypto had his rights violated, she said.

The law, which passed unanimously in the state assembly on Monday, makes it illegal for the media and law enforcement agencies to exchange money or other compensation in return for information on criminal investigations.

The measure must be passed by the state Senate and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger before becoming law.

If it goes through, media who buy information from law enforcement agencies could be fined up to $1,000 and face a misdemeanour charge.

TMZ.com has denied it paid for the report on Gibson's arrest.

Gibson was criticized publicly overhis drunken tirade in which he accused Jews of causing wars throughout history.

He later apologized for his anti-Semitic remarks and was treated for alcohol abuse.

California legislators said they were concerned that celebrity journalism might get further out of hand, with media organizations competing to pay for information.

"For the sake of a few dollars or to get someone their '15 minutes of fame,' it's not appropriate to sacrifice people's rights," assembly member Greg Aghazarian said.