The PRESS Act Safeguards Journalists From Source Disclosure
- The PRESS Act has received bipartisan sponsorship and was passed by the House in January.
- The legislation aims to protect journalists from revealing their sources, except for national security concerns.
- Increased relevance of press protections is anticipated in a potential second Trump administration.
The PRESS Act, which has been stalled since its passage in the House earlier this year, is designed to provide legal protections for journalists against compelled source disclosure, with exceptions only for national security matters. Sponsored by Democratic Senator Ron Wyden and backed by Republicans Lindsey Graham and Mike Lee, the bill has garnered bipartisan support. As concerns over press freedom grow in light of potential future government pressures, the importance of this legislation becomes increasingly evident. Notably, figures such as Donald Trump and Elon Musk have threatened media operations, raising alarms within the journalistic community. This context underscores the significance of having strong protections in place to maintain an independent press, which is crucial for investigative journalism and democracy.