Journalists’ ability to keep their sources confidential and information secure is vital to newsgathering and the public’s access to information. Because there is currently no federal reporter’s shield law, journalists are vulnerable to demands for their sources and newsgathering materials in federal court. The government can force phone and email providers to out journalists’ confidential sources.
But that could change if Congress passes the PRESS Act, a bipartisan federal shield law that is closer to passage than we’ve ever had before.
Join national leaders for an online panel discussion explaining what the PRESS Act does and why journalists and editorial boards should cover it. The Society of Professional Journalists has partnered with the Freedom of the Press Foundation for a virtual panel discussion to take place at noon EST (11 a.m. CST) March 7 as a preview of Sunshine Week 2024, which takes place March 10-16. Sunshine Week is a nonpartisan collaboration among groups in the journalism, civic, education, government and private sectors that shines a light on the importance of public records and open government.
Speakers include Alex Bertschi Wrigley, legislative assistant for U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden; Fred Brown, chair of the SPJ Ethics Committee; Caitlin Vogus, deputy director of advocacy at Freedom of the Press Foundation; and Larry Wilson, member of the Southern California NewsGroup editorial board.