SPJ Asks Congress to Reintroduce Journalist Protection Act

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, March 22, 2023 | 3:56pm CT

The Society of Professional Journalists

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) sent a letter to members of Congress Wednesday requesting reintroduction of the Journalist Protection Act and increased support in passing it this congressional term. The act was introduced five years ago by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. Eric Swalwell and, if passed, would make it a federal crime to knowingly assault a reporter engaging in the act of newsgathering.

"Journalists risk their lives every minute of every day when reporting in the field," said SPJ National President Claire Regan. "SPJ has issued safety guidelines, but there is only so much newsroom leaders can do to protect their staff from harm in vulnerable situations. Passing the Journalist Protection Act would enhance the guidelines set forth by SPJ by going even further to make it a federal offense to knowingly assault journalists. It is time for Congress to finally pass this critical legislation."

In recent years, journalists have been assaulted at protests, rallies, crime scenes and while reporting in their communities, and most recently two journalists were shot in Florida in February. In 2022, there were 40 assaults on journalists in the U.S., according to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, and even more journalists were -- and continue to be -- threatened and harassed each day both in person and online.

SPJ has asked for this legislation to be passed in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Each year, it has become even more clear why journalists must be federally protected when newsgathering. Now, SPJ joins other journalism organizations, including the Radio Television Digital News Association, in asking for the Journalist Protection Act to be reintroduced and passed in the 118th Congress.