Bipartisan House and Senate Groups both reintroduced a landmark federal shield bill, providing journalists with greater protection. The PRESS Act would implement safeguards against government attempts to comb through news gatherers' data.
Reintroducing the PRESS Act
The Protect Reporters from Excessive State Suppression (PRESS) Act was reintroduced in both the Huse and Senate on a bipartisan basis. According to a report from Engadget, this will limit the government's ability to collect data disclosures that might reveal journalists' sources. The draft bill was previously cut from the US Spending Bill for 2023 later last year.
Almost all states in the country and the District of Columbia have either a protection law or court recognition of qualified privilege for sources. But that stops there as there is no federal law in place for this. Among the senators who reintroduced the bill were Senators Ron Wyden, Mike Lee, and Richard Durbin.
As per Wyden in a press release, identifying sources by spying on news reports is a finger in the eye of the First Amendment. "Our bipartisan legislation creates strong protections for reporters, with common sense exceptions for cases when the government truly needs information immediately," Wyden added.
He added that this will make it harder for journalists as its scars off sources and reporters who are essential to well-function democracy. Meanwhile, Lee supported this statement and believes that this is necessary to protect the public's right to access information, hold elected officials accountable, and participate in representative democracy.
"In a world where information is power, the role of reporters as truth-seekers and watchdogs cannot be understated," Lee noted. The senators point to instances from both Democratic and Republican administrators where the law subpoenaed data in order to obtain sources.
Meanwhile, Representatives Kevin Kiley ad Jamie Raskin are both set to introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives, which passed the House in the previous Congress. Raskin, a Democrat from Maryland, stated that the bipartisan bill vindicates the promise of journalism freedom in the country.
The PRESS Act was close to being passed but was previously cut when it was included in the omnibus spending bill. Voa News reported that Senator Tom Cotton's concern about potential leaks threatening national security led to the bill being cut.
Response from the Media
Reintroducing the bill was applauded by the News/Media Alliance. According to their released statement, they believe this establishes reasonable ground rules for when the government can obtain confidential data from important sources from the media and their third-party providers.
News/Media Alliance President and CEO Danielle Coffey stated that the organization proudly supports this move from the senators and the representatives, proving their leadership and commitment to protecting a free and independent press. By passing this bill, Coffey believes that it will ensure that they can maintain editorial independence.
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