The use of undercover video investigations has been an effective strategy used by animal welfare groups to bring more public attention to their cause and influence food company policies as they relate to housing systems for pigs, chickens and cows. Eight states responded by adopting so-called "ag-gag" laws that prohibit such investigations. Now, a federal judge in one of those states, Idaho, has stricken down such a law on grounds of constitutional free speech, which could put the other laws in jeopardy.

That may cause angst...