Bill > A02086

This bill amends the New York Civil Rights Law to expand the definition of "professional journalist" and provide legal protections for journalists who maintain web logs (blogs). Specifically, the bill adds web logs to the list of professional media outlets from which journalists can derive their livelihood, and defines a web log as a website or webpage containing an online journal with news, comments, and hyperlinks provided by the journalist. The legislation ensures that journalists working for web logs receive the same legal protections as traditional journalists, particularly in relation to protecting confidential sources and being exempt from contempt proceedings in civil or criminal cases. This means that a blogger who is professionally engaged in reporting news cannot be compelled by a court, legislature, or grand jury to disclose confidential sources or information obtained while gathering news, regardless of the medium through which the news is published. The bill effectively modernizes existing journalism shield laws to recognize digital platforms as legitimate venues for professional news reporting.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2086