House Judiciary Committee Clears Bill That Shields Journalists From Federal Government Efforts To Compel Them To Reveal Sources
deadline.comA bill to protect journalists from revealing their sources amid pressure from the federal government cleared the House Judiciary Committee in a unanimous vote on Thursday.
The legislation passed 23-0, an unusual show of bipartisanship on a committee often at loggerheads. The Protect Reporters from Exploitive State Spying Act, or PRESS Act, is a response to instances of law enforcement agencies secretly seeking court orders emails and phone records from reporters in an effort to determine their sources.
Lawmakers noted that such instances took place during the Trump and Obama administrations. Under the terms of the legislation (read it here), the federal government cannot compel reporters to disclose their sources or notes.
Exceptions are made if disclosure of the information is necessary to prevent terrorism of “a threat of imminent violence, significant bodily harm, or death, including specified offenses against a minor.” The bill also restricts efforts to subpoena a journalist’s information from a third party — like phone and internet providers — and gives reporters get an opportunity to challenge such subpoenas in court.
Read more on deadline.com