Bill > HR4330

This bill, known as the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act or the PRESS Act, aims to establish appropriate limits on the federally compelled disclosure of information obtained as part of engaging in journalism. The key provisions of the bill are as follows: 1. It defines "covered journalists" as those who regularly gather, prepare, and publish news or information of public interest, and "covered service providers" as entities that store, process, or transmit information electronically to provide services. 2. It prohibits federal entities from compelling covered journalists to disclose protected information, such as identifying sources or records they obtained as part of their journalism, unless it is necessary to prevent an act of terrorism or a threat of imminent violence, significant bodily harm, or death. 3. It also limits the ability of federal entities to compel covered service providers to disclose testimony or documents related to a covered journalist's personal account or technology device, unless there is a reasonable threat of imminent violence and the court issues an order authorizing the disclosure. 4. The bill requires the court to provide notice and an opportunity for the covered journalist to be heard before compelling the disclosure, with limited exceptions in cases where such notice could pose a clear and substantial threat to a criminal investigation or present an imminent risk of death or serious bodily harm. 5. The content of any compelled testimony, document, or protected information must be narrowly tailored and not overbroad, unreasonable, or oppressive. Overall, the PRESS Act aims to maintain the free flow of information to the public by establishing appropriate limits on the federally compelled disclosure of information obtained as part of journalism.