S.T.O.P. Demands Congress Protect Journalists From Warrantless Surveillance

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release   S.T.O.P. Demands Congress Protect Journalists From Warrantless Surveillance (New York, NY, 12/19/2022) – On Friday, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Schumer demanding passage of the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying (PRESS) Act, which would protect journalists from warrantless surveillance. Passed by the House of Representatives in September, the law would prohibit the federal government from using subpoenas, jail, or jail threats to compel journalists to disclose their sources. It also prevents the federal government from forcing tech companies to share reporters’ business records. S.T.O.P. stressed the importance of the bill after criminal probes into journalists increased 800% under Trump. SEE: S.T.O.P. – Sign-On Letter to Senator Schumer Demanding Passage of the PRESS Act https://www.stopspying.org/sign-on-letters/2022/12/19/letter-in-support-of-the-press-act H.R.4330 - PRESS Act https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4330 “Journalism is essential to an informed public and healthy democracy,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Legal Fellow Evan Enzer. “While loopholes may still allow the government to target journalists in some circumstances, the PRESS Act would provide vital protections to reporters and protect much of their work from unwarranted criminalization.” The letter comes as public pressure mounts on the Senate to pass the bill before the end of the year and Senator Schumer is expected to make a decision imminently. Last year, S.T.O.P. released a Protest Reporting Toolkit in partnership with PROTEST_NYC to share cybersecurity and source protection best practices for journalists covering protests. SEE: The Intercept – Journalism Source Protection Bill Gets A Last-Minute Senate Push https://theintercept.com/2022/12/15/journalist-source-protection-press-act/ S.T.O.P. – Protest Reporting Toolkit https://www.stopspying.org/protest-reporting-toolkit The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color. -- END -- CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn Copyright © 2021 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.