Action Alert
Finally, a strong shield law that will protect journalists against government surveillance and forced disclosure of confidential sources.
Our government shouldn’t be spying on journalists. Nor should law enforcement agencies force journalists to identify their confidential sources or go to prison.
But the reality is that both Democratic and Republican administrations have secretly subpoenaed reporters’ emails and phone records to hunt down their sources. That chills essential newsgathering and whistleblowing, and it needs to stop now.
The Protect Reporters from Exploitive State Spying (PRESS) Act is a long overdue federal shield law that provides protections to journalists against government surveillance and forced disclosure of confidential sources. It has already passed the House of Representatives on a voice vote. Importantly, the PRESS Act has an appropriately broad definition of the practice of journalism, covering both professional and citizen journalists, and it applies regardless of a journalist’s political leanings or medium of publication.
Now, we need your help to send a strong message to the Senate that passing these protections must be an immediate priority.
take action
TELL THE SENATE TO PROTECT THE PRESS
On at least 12 occasions since 1990, law enforcement threatened journalists with jail or home confinement for refusing to give up their sources; some reporters served months in jail.
Elected officials must do more about these abuses than preside over after-the-fact apologies. The PRESS Act is a long overdue protection. We have sent Congress a clear message to pass it; please join us by sending your own email to the Senate.
Yours,
Joe Mullin
EFF Activism Team
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