With more than 100 media companies and press rights organizations, FAC signed a letter sent to Congress urging both the House and Senate to support the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act (PRESS Act).
The letters note:
The PRESS Act, which passed in the House of Representatives on January 18, 2024, would shield reporters from having to disclose information identifying confidential sources as well as records, communications content, documents, or information that the journalist obtained or created as part of their journalism. The bill also bars government demands for that data to third parties like phone or email providers unless a court finds a reasonable threat of imminent violence absent disclosure. And it helpfully uses a functional definition of journalist that focuses on the gathering and reporting of news to the public.
The PRESS Act would create a federal reporters’ shield that protects journalists’ sources and source material.