Ariticle I just found on Scheerpost written by Brett Wilkins that I thought was quite interesting. I wasn't aware that the press had to disclose their sources in the U.S. to federal agencies and the courts, albeit with "narrow exceptions".
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December 8, 2022
"The PRESS Act is the most important free press legislation in modern times because it would finally stop the government from spying on journalists and threatening them with arrest for doing their jobs," explained one advocate.
By Brett Wilkins / Common Dreams
Free press advocates this week urged people to contact Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office and ask the New York Democrat to pass legislation protecting journalists from government abuses during the closing days of the current Congress.
“The time between an election and the inauguration of a new Congress—or the lame-duck, as it is affectionately known—is ironically a time when things can happen on the Hill, in part because departing members don’t have to worry about reelection,” Emily Hockett, a Technology Press Freedom Project fellow, wrote for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
“This year, the Senate has a unique opportunity to pass a landmark federal shield bill that would protect journalists from being forced to disclose source information and work product to federal agencies and courts, with narrow exceptions,” she continued.
“The PRESS Act has broad bipartisan support and is a reasonable, commonsense measure to protect the public’s right to know,” Hockett added. “That’s why it passed the House unanimously, and why 49 states and the District of Columbia have similar protections. Your move, Senate.”
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Full aticle:
Journalism Defenders Push for Passage of ‘Game-Changing’ PRESS Act | Scheerpost
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December 8, 2022
"The PRESS Act is the most important free press legislation in modern times because it would finally stop the government from spying on journalists and threatening them with arrest for doing their jobs," explained one advocate.
By Brett Wilkins / Common Dreams
Free press advocates this week urged people to contact Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office and ask the New York Democrat to pass legislation protecting journalists from government abuses during the closing days of the current Congress.
“The time between an election and the inauguration of a new Congress—or the lame-duck, as it is affectionately known—is ironically a time when things can happen on the Hill, in part because departing members don’t have to worry about reelection,” Emily Hockett, a Technology Press Freedom Project fellow, wrote for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
“This year, the Senate has a unique opportunity to pass a landmark federal shield bill that would protect journalists from being forced to disclose source information and work product to federal agencies and courts, with narrow exceptions,” she continued.
“The PRESS Act has broad bipartisan support and is a reasonable, commonsense measure to protect the public’s right to know,” Hockett added. “That’s why it passed the House unanimously, and why 49 states and the District of Columbia have similar protections. Your move, Senate.”
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Full aticle:
Journalism Defenders Push for Passage of ‘Game-Changing’ PRESS Act | Scheerpost
