What does Preamble of Journalist Protection Act do?

This bill proposes to amend Title 18, United States Code, to establish a penalty for assaults against journalists. The bill's stated purpose is to provide a penalty for assault against journalists and for other purposes.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Journalist Protection Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Journalist Protection Act.

What does ASSAULT AGAINST JOURNALISTS. of Journalist Protection Act do?

This section amends Chapter 7 of Title 18, United States Code, by adding Section 120, titled 'Assault against journalists.' The definition of 'journalist' includes individuals employed by or working as independent contractors for news organizations, disseminating news or information through various media. Newsgathering is defined as activities related to gathering, preparing, and reporting news or information of public interest. The law prohibits acts causing bodily injury or serious bodily injury to a journalist, committed with knowledge of their status and during or with the intent to impede newsgathering. Acts causing bodily injury carry a potential penalty of a fine, imprisonment for up to 3 years, or both. Acts causing serious bodily injury carry a potential penalty of a fine, imprisonment for up to 6 years, or both.

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Journalist Protection Act

Last updated: 5/5/2025 · Introduced: 5/5/2025

Author: Eric Swalwell (D-CA)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill establishes a penalty for assaults against journalists, with acts causing bodily injury punishable by up to 3 years in prison and acts causing serious bodily injury punishable by up to 6 years in prison.
The law defines a journalist as an individual employed by or working as an independent contractor for a news organization, and includes those disseminating news or information through various media.
The bill prohibits acts that cause bodily injury to a journalist, committed with knowledge of their status and with the intent to impede newsgathering, and provides for fines in addition to imprisonment.

119th Congressin committeeS. 1601(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 1 more.

3 sections

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