Journalist Protection Act

Physically attacking a journalist while they're doing their job — or to intimidate them out of doing it — would become a specific federal crime under this bill. Assault causing bodily injury would carry up to 3 years in prison, and assault causing serious bodily injury up to 6 years. The bill defines "journalist" broadly to include employees and contractors of newspapers, websites, TV and radio stations, and other news outlets who are actively engaged in newsgathering. It's intended to give reporters the same kind of targeted federal protection that other professions receive.