Protecting Journalists: Limits on Compelled Disclosure of Sources and Information
This act aims to protect journalists and their sources by limiting the ability to compel them to disclose information. This ensures a freer flow of news to the public, supporting access to diverse public information. The act establishes clear rules for when federal authorities can demand such data, safeguarding the privacy of journalists and their collaborators.
Key points
Federal authorities cannot easily force journalists to reveal sources or collected information, unless necessary to prevent terrorism or serious threats to life.
Service providers (e.g., telecom companies) are also protected from disclosing journalists' data, unless there is a threat of imminent violence.
Journalists must be notified and given a chance to be heard in court before their data is compelled, with exceptions for threats to investigations or life.
The act does not protect journalists suspected of crimes, witnesses to crimes unrelated to journalism, or those suspected of being foreign agents or terrorists.
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