On May 30, 2024, the Freedom of the Press Foundation submitted a letter in support of the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act (PRESS Act, S.2074) to Chair Dick Durbin and Ranking Member Lindsey Graham of the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. The letter was co-signed by more than 120 First Amendment advocacy groups, legal experts, news companies, and media organizations, including the National Association of Science Writers (NASW). Additional parties have since signed on, and the June 4 version of the letter totaled more than 130 supporters.
- Read the May 30 Letter (PDF)
- Share the Freedom of the Press Foundation’s press release (FPF Website)
- Follow S.2074 (U.S. Senate)
Excerpts from the letter include:
“The PRESS Act is a bipartisan shield bill that would protect journalist-source confidentiality, subject to common-sense exceptions, such as cases involving terrorism, other serious emergencies, or journalists suspected of crimes. The Act would also protect journalists against government surveillance through their phone and email providers.”
“Journalists need protection from compelled disclosure of their sources and newsgathering materials, to ensure their ability to report on matters of public interest. When courts require journalists to reveal confidential sources’ identities or other information related to their reporting, such compulsion undermines their ability to gather the news and keep Americans informed.”
“In addition, the PRESS Act would prevent future executive branch officials from targeting journalists and their sources. Subject to a few sensible exceptions, such as a reasonable threat of imminent violence or when journalists are suspected of crimes, the bill would prohibit most subpoenas of reporters’ phone and email records, a tactic used by Democratic and Republican administrations to attempt to uncover reporters’ sources. It would also protect local journalists who report on matters unrelated to politics.”
NASW extends its gratitude to Freedom of the Press Foundation for its leadership in tracking this important federal legislation and organizing our professional community. For NASW members interested in the further advocacy, contact the Freedom of the Press Foundation at https://freedom.press/contact.
Cassandra Willyard
NASW President
and the NASW Board
To reach the NASW Board, email president@nasw.org
Founded in 1934 with a mission to fight for the free flow of science news, NASW is an organization of ~2,400 professional journalists, authors, editors, producers, public information officers, students and people who write and produce material intended to inform the public about science, health, engineering, and technology. To learn more, visit www.nasw.org and follow NASW on LinkedIn and Bluesky.
