As we approach the end of the congressional session, lawmakers have a narrow window of opportunity to pass the PRESS Act, a federal "shield" bill that would provide nationwide protections for journalists across the United States. The bill has been waiting in the Senate since January, when it was passed by the House with unanimous and bipartisan support.
What is the PRESS Act?
The PRESS Act would enshrine protections for journalists to prevent them from being forced to identify or give up their confidential sources, except in emergency cases where an act of terrorism might be prevented. The bill also grants other protections, such as limiting what records the government can secretly take from journalists or their email or phone provider that could identify their sources.
The Need for Press Freedoms
Lawmakers have been pushing to pass federal protections for journalists in the PRESS Act for over a year, citing recent U.S. government abuses. One of the most notable examples was the secret seizure of phone records from journalists who worked for CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post at the request of the Justice Department under the Trump administration.
As noted by The Verge, protections for journalists and their sources will become increasingly relevant in a second Trump term. Forcing journalists to turn over a source’s identity can have a real chilling effect on newsgathering. People will feel discouraged from talking to journalists, and that harms the public’s ability to be informed about things that affect them.
The Importance of Independent Journalism
We also increasingly consume our news from independent journalists and smaller outlets, which might not have the legal resources to fight a government subpoena for their records. The PRESS Act would provide the same blanket protections to journalists across the United States and would also cover independent journalists and outlets that publish information in the public interest.
TechCrunch’s Support for Press Freedoms
As a news outlet, TechCrunch is in favor of protecting and building upon press freedoms. Some of our most read and impactful reporting has come from readers like you, who have reached out and tipped us off to corporate wrongdoing, uncovering mismanagement in the startup world, detailing human rights abuses, and revealing major breaches and data spills that otherwise might have gone unreported.
We have a history of standing up to legal demands to protect our sources. We can only do this with the protections of press freedoms.
Bipartisan Support for the PRESS Act
The PRESS Act already has bipartisan support in the Senate, with Senators Ron Wyden, Lindsey Graham, Mike Lee, and Dick Durbin as co-sponsors. However, the bill remains stuck in the Senate Judiciary Committee, reportedly opposed by a small group of senators.
What You Can Do to Help
At this point, the PRESS Act has bipartisan support in the Senate, but it still needs a final vote on the Senate floor. With weeks to go before the bill expires at the end of the congressional session, you can help make your voice heard.
The ACLU has a simple web form that you can use to send a note to your senators, or you can call or email them directly to ask them to vote for the PRESS Act. Every voice counts, and together we can ensure that journalists across the United States are protected from government overreach.
Related Topics
- Cybersecurity
- Government & Policy
- Journalism
- Press Freedoms
- Security
Get Involved
If you’re concerned about press freedoms and want to make a difference, here’s what you can do:
- Send a note to your senators using the ACLU’s web form.
- Call or email them directly to ask them to vote for the PRESS Act.
- Share this article with friends and family to raise awareness about the importance of press freedoms.
Together, we can ensure that journalists across the United States are protected from government overreach and continue to hold those in power accountable.
