WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and
Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.-15) today
reintroduced legislation to better protect journalists and the free press who
are essential to our democracy. The Journalist Protection Act would make
intentionally harming a working journalist or intentionally harming a
journalist with the intent of intimidating them from doing their job a federal
crime.
“The increasing threats and acts of
violence against journalists are deeply alarming, and they need greater
protection in order to do their jobs safely,” said Sen. Menendez. “Our
democracy and the American people rely on a free and independent press—a strong
Fourth Estate—to keep the public informed and hold those in power
accountable. Journalists perform a noble public service that the Framers
understood was essential to a well-functioning democracy. We need to do
more to ensure they can do their jobs effectively without fear of being hurt.”
“As threats and violence against the
media have multiplied more menacingly in recent years, the press needs and
deserves greater protection,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “The right and
responsibility of journalists to hold accountable people in positions of power
is absolutely fundamental to our democracy.”
“Democracy depends on the ability of journalists to ask
tough questions and report the truth without fear of violence or persecution,” said
Rep. Swalwell. “My bill will ensure that journalists are able to do their
jobs without fear of harm.”
Today’s bill reintroduction comes as
attacks on journalists are at an all-time high. According to the Press
Freedom Tracker, there were 427 physical attacks on journalists in 2020 –
that’s higher than the prior three years combined.
The Journalist Protection
Act makes an important statement that violence targeting the free press, an
industry protected by the First Amendment, will not be tolerated, and will
serve as the federal backstop if such crimes are not punished at the state or
local level.
Organizations supporting the bill
include: Communications Works of America, News Media for Open Government, News
Media Alliance, Radio Television Digital News Association, National Press
Photographers Association, MPA – The Association of Magazine Media, National
Newspaper Association, News Leaders Association, Society of Professional
Journalists, Professional Photographers of America, American Society of Media
Photographers, National Association of Broadcasters, Reporters’ Committee for
Freedom of the Press, North American Nature Photography Association, American
Photographic Artists.
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