The Senate has a crucial opportunity to pass the PRESS Act, a bill that would provide essential protections for journalists across the United States. The bill, which was passed by the House with unanimous, bipartisan support, has been waiting for a final vote in the Senate for months.
If the PRESS Act becomes law, journalists will be protected from being forced to reveal their confidential sources, except in emergency situations. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of journalism and ensuring that the public has access to important information. The bill also limits the government’s ability to secretly obtain journalist’s records, which could potentially reveal their sources.
Lawmakers have been advocating for these protections due to recent abuses by the U.S. government, including the seizure of phone records from journalists working for major news outlets. Protecting journalists and their sources is essential for upholding press freedom and ensuring that the public remains informed about important issues.
While the tech industry may not be directly impacted by the PRESS Act, news outlets like TechCrunch rely on press freedoms to uncover important stories and hold powerful entities accountable. Without these protections, journalists may be deterred from investigating and reporting on critical issues.
Fortunately, the PRESS Act has bipartisan support in the Senate, with several senators co-sponsoring the bill. However, time is running out as the bill is set to expire at the end of the congressional session. It is crucial for concerned citizens to reach out to their senators and urge them to vote in favor of the PRESS Act.
If you want to support press freedom and the protection of journalists, you can contact your senators through the ACLU’s web form or by calling or emailing them directly. Your voice can make a difference in ensuring that the PRESS Act is passed and journalists are able to continue their important work without fear of reprisal.
