Bill > S1601

This bill creates a new federal criminal offense specifically protecting journalists from assault, adding a new section to Title 18 of the United States Code. The bill provides clear definitions for key terms like "journalist" (which includes employees, independent contractors, or agents who disseminate news across various media platforms) and "newsgathering" (regular activities related to gathering and reporting news). Under the bill, intentionally causing bodily injury to a journalist while they are engaged in newsgathering or with the intention of intimidating or impeding their work would be punishable by a fine and up to 3 years in prison. If the assault causes serious bodily injury, the penalty increases to up to 6 years in prison. The law applies to assaults that occur in or affect interstate or foreign commerce and requires that the perpetrator knows or has reason to know the victim is a journalist. This legislation aims to provide legal protection for journalists performing their professional duties, recognizing the importance of a free press in gathering and disseminating information of public interest.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1601/all-info