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Journalist Protection Act: New Federal Penalties for Assault Against Reporters.

This legislation establishes new federal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for assaulting journalists while they are gathering or disseminating news. The goal is to enhance the safety of individuals providing public information, which supports freedom of the press and citizens' access to reliable news. Assaulting a journalist during their work or with the intent to intimidate them will be treated as a serious federal crime.
Key points
Establishes specific federal criminal penalties (up to 3 or 6 years in prison) for assaulting a journalist, depending on the severity of the injury.
Protection applies if the assault occurs while the journalist is engaged in newsgathering or if the intent is to intimidate or impede their work.
Defines 'journalist' broadly to include employees and independent contractors of digital, print, and broadcast media involved in reporting matters of public interest.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_1412
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Process start date: 2023-05-03
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Journalist Protection Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_S_1412.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-05-03.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Establishes specific federal criminal penalties (up to 3 or 6 years in prison) for assaulting a journalist, depending on the severity of the injury.
  • Protection applies if the assault occurs while the journalist is engaged in newsgathering or if the intent is to intimidate or impede their work.
  • Defines 'journalist' broadly to include employees and independent contractors of digital, print, and broadcast media involved in reporting matters of public interest.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-26.

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