The News Media Alliance applauds the House Judiciary Committee on the markup of the bi-partisan Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act or the “PRESS Act.” The PRESS Act would establish reasonable ground rules for when the government can obtain confidential source information from the media and their third-party service providers. The Act was originally introduced last year by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) following reports that the Department of Justice (DOJ) was misusing statutes to obtain information from and about journalists. The safeguards enumerated in the PRESS Act are critical to supporting and maintaining a free and independent press.
The Alliance looks forward to the Act being signed into law and continues to support legislative efforts to protect journalists from any attempt to thwart the newsgathering process.
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Members of the News/Media Alliance staff have contributed to this post.
