Protect the Press from the Trump Administration

We have several chances to prevent abuses to democracy from the incoming Trump administration. One such opportunity is to pass the Protect Reporters From Exploitative State Spying Act, or the PRESS Act, S. 2074. This bipartisan legislation would provide new and clear protections to journalists and their information sources. The bill passed unanimously in the House in January but has yet to be considered by the Senate. The bill has two main components. First, it would prohibit the government from coercing journalists into disclosing their sources of information, except in rare cases like preventing imminent violence. Second, it would prevent the government from spying on journalists through their technology providers. The bill also effectively protects government whistleblowers by eliminating the fear of retaliation. Given Trump’s alarming rhetoric about press freedoms, labeling journalists as “enemies of the people” and promising to revoke licenses from broadcasters who cover him unfavorably, it is crucial that the current Senate passes the PRESS Act promptly to safeguard press freedoms.