American journalists may soon have protection from Congress against attempts by the federal government to seize their private data.
A bipartisan coalition in the House and Senate reintroduced the PRESS Act (Protect Reporters from Exploitive State Spying) on June 21 to limit the government’s ability to compel reporters to disclose data that might reveal the identities or endanger their sources.
The Senate bill, which is backed by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), will extend disclosure exemptions and standards to protect emails, phone records, and other info from third parties.
The proposed legislation will shield “journalists against unnecessary government surveillance that makes it harder to hold the government accountable and harms reporters’ First Amendment rights,” said a press statement from Wyden’s office….