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.
Congressional Summary
Journalist Protection Act This bill establishes new criminal offenses for intentional acts (or attempts to commit acts) that cause bodily injury to a journalist.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-05-05
- Date Added
- 2026-04-06
- Source
- Congress.gov →
Like reading a bill in plain English?
We're building an app that does this for every bill in Congress and lets you tell your reps how you want them to vote. We're a small team getting ready to launch, and we're trying to show investors that real people want this. Be one of them. Help us get it built. Leave your email and we'll tell you the moment the app is ready.