Bill > HB2452

This bill establishes a new criminal offense called "malicious prosecution of a journalist" in Missouri law, which applies specifically to elected public officials, assistant prosecuting attorneys, and assistant attorneys general who initiate or continue a criminal prosecution against a journalist without probable cause, with malicious intent, knowing no actual offense was committed, and causing damages to the journalist. The bill defines a journalist broadly as any person or organization protected under the "doctrine of freedom of the press", including traditional media, online content creators, bloggers, and podcasters. If convicted, the offender would face a class E felony charge and potentially be liable for damages, including reputational harm. Importantly, the bill also waives sovereign immunity, allowing civil actions against government officials who violate this provision. The legislation aims to protect journalists from retaliatory or politically motivated legal actions that could intimidate or suppress press freedom by creating legal consequences for officials who abuse their prosecutorial powers.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2452&year=2026&code=R