Bill > HR3203

This bill creates new federal criminal protections for journalists by establishing specific penalties for assaulting individuals engaged in newsgathering. The bill defines a "journalist" broadly as someone who works for a news organization or service and actively gathers news with the intent to disseminate information about events of public interest, including those working for newspapers, websites, TV, radio, and other media platforms. Under this legislation, individuals who intentionally cause bodily injury to a journalist while they are performing newsgathering activities or with the intention of intimidating or impeding their work could face fines and up to 3 years in prison. If the assault causes serious bodily injury, the potential prison sentence increases to up to 6 years. The law applies to assaults that occur in or affect interstate or foreign commerce, and it requires that the perpetrator know or have reason to know the victim is a journalist. This bill aims to protect journalists' safety and ability to report news by creating specific legal consequences for violent interference with their work.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3203/all-info