Schumer Hopeful for Senate Passage of PRESS Act Shielding Journalists This Year
-
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed hope that the PRESS Act, which would protect journalists from federal government surveillance, could pass the Senate and reach Biden's desk this year.
-
The PRESS Act would bar federal entities from forcing journalists to disclose confidential sources or other protected information, with limited exceptions.
-
The bill defines "journalist" broadly, potentially extending protections to freelancers, "citizen journalists", and publishers like WikiLeaks.
-
In recent years, high-profile cases have seen journalists held in contempt or had records seized for refusing to identify confidential sources.
-
The bipartisan House bill passed unanimously, but Senate approval is still uncertain. Schumer and Republicans voiced support, while press freedom groups urged quick passage.