RSF Pushes U.S. Senate to Enact “PRESS Act” Federal Shield Law Before Time Runs Out

With the 118th U.S. Congress concluding on January 3, 2025, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is urging the Senate to urgently pass the PRESS Act, a federal shield law designed to protect journalists from being compelled to reveal sources or disclose sensitive materials—something not currently guaranteed at the national level.

Although nearly every U.S. state and the District of Columbia already provide shield protections, a federal statute would establish a consistent standard across jurisdictions and guard reporters operating in federal contexts, such as federal court proceedings, congressional investigations, or national security inquiries. The act also includes safeguards against the seizure of journalists’ device data from third-party service providers, barring it except under strict judicial process and in cases involving imminent threats like terrorism.

The bill enjoys robust bipartisan support. It unanimously passed the House and is backed by Senate Judiciary Committee leaders—including Democrats Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham—as well as President Biden. RSF USA Executive Director Clayton Weimers emphasized that enacting the law before the legislative session ends would send a strong message affirming journalism’s role in American democracy and would help reverse the U.S. ranking drop to 55th in RSF’s World Press Freedom Index.

However, the bill faces significant hurdles in the Senate. Conservative senators like Tom Cotton have blocked recent unanimous consent efforts, citing national security concerns, a move amplified by former President Trump’s vocal opposition—he publicly urged Republicans to “kill this bill” on his platform. With the Senate calendar rapidly running out, advocates argue that attaching the PRESS Act to must-pass end-of-year funding legislation may be the only viable path forward.

Major press freedom institutions—including RSF, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and Freedom of the Press Foundation—have stressed the urgency: without swift action, protections will remain subject to evolving executive branch policies as administrations shift