States must step up to protect journalist-source confidentiality
Featured Items
-
An increasing number of journalists have recently faced subpoenas
Three months into 2018, the most under the radar threat to press freedom has shown itself to be not arrests or attacks on journalists, but rather subpoenas to produce documents or attempt to force journalists to testify about their sources.
-
Out-of-control North Dakota prosecutors still pursuing reporter Amy Goodman, even after judge dismisses riot charge
Why are prosecutors attempting to throw reporters in jail for documenting protests?
-
Vindication: High court in New Zealand rules police raid on journalist Nicky Hager was illegal
In a huge victory for press freedom, New Zealand’s High Court has ruled decisively in favor of independent journalist Nicky Hager in his case against the New Zealand government for raiding his house and seizing his family’s possessions in 2014. The court’s decision, which was released on December 17, …
-
Help Keep Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist James Risen Out of Jail
One of the biggest battles over U.S. press freedom in decades is now about to come to a head, and we need your help. Sign this petition to help keep journalist James Risen out of jail. James Risen, the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the New York Times who exposed the …
-
Why the Supreme Court Cell Phone Decision is a Win for Press Freedom
According to the Supreme Court, police need a warrant to search the cellphones of people they arrest. The unanimous decision, which was handed down this week, is being heralded as a major victory for privacy rights and a landmark case with implications far beyond cellphones. The New York Times reports …
-
Why Won’t Any Senators Pick Up Rep. Grayson’s Important Journalist Shield Bill?
Three weeks ago, Rep. Alan Grayson convinced the House to pass a bill that would go a long way to protect journalists from being subpoenaed for their sources, yet hardly anyone noticed. Attached to its annual appropriations bill, the House voted 225-183 to pass a simple provision that read …
-
Supreme Court Rejects Reporter's Privilege Case, As NYT Reporter Faces Jail for Protecting His Source
The Supreme Court today rejected New York Times reporter James Risen's appeal of a 4th Circuit decision that ruled the government can compel him to reveal his source under oath. The case, one of the most important for reporter's privilege in decades, means that Risen has exhausted his appeals and …
-
State Dept Launches 'Free the Press' Campaign While DOJ Asks Supreme Court to Force Reporter James Risen Into Jail
The US State Department announced the launch of its third annual "Free the Press" campaign today, which will purportedly highlight "journalists or media outlets that are censored, attacked, threatened, or otherwise oppressed because of their reporting." A noble mission for sure. But maybe they should kick off the campaign by …
-
Senate’s Broadened Definition of Journalist Is an Improvement, but Still Not Enough
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s amended federal shield law bill passed today by a 13-5 vote, and importantly included Sen. Feinstein’s (D-CA) new amendment broadening the definition of who qualifies as a journalist. But as her condescending remarks about the purpose behind her amendment reveal—that it is intended to ensure that …
-
Congress' Dangerous Attempts to Define “Journalist” in Shield Law Threaten to Exclude Bloggers
This has been cross-posted from the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Lawmakers in Washington are again weighing in on who should and should not qualify as a journalist—and the outcome looks pretty grim for bloggers, freelancers, and other non-salaried journalists. On July 12, the Justice Department released its new guidelines on …
