House Judiciary Approves Press Act; NAB, NMA Pleased

The House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted for the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act (HR-4250) Wednesday. The Press Act puts limits on when the government can obtain confidential source information from journalists and their third-party service providers. The bill will protect the sources of broadcast journalists and allow them to “continue this critical work without fear of retaliation,” NAB President Curtis LeGeyt said in a news release. “The bill provides much-needed safeguards to protect the important investigative work of the free press on matters critical to preserving our democracy,” said the News Media Alliance. The bill unanimously passed the House last Congress and was reintroduced by Reps. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., and Jamie Raskin, D-Md.