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Committee introduces RS 32,170 to strengthen reporter-source protections; members ask for clarity on who qualifies as journalist
Summary
RS 32,170, introduced by Representative Marco Erickson, would add statutory protection for confidential sources in defined journalistic activities. Committee members asked for clarification about whether nontraditional or blog-like outlets would qualify and raised questions about defamation suits and enforcement.
Representative Marco Erickson presented RS 32,170 to the House Judiciary and Rules Administration Committee, describing it as a statutory clarification to protect confidential news sources in defined journalistic activities.
"It's protecting us as if any of you in this body have ever provided the media with a source or some sort of story and you wanted anonymity," Erickson said, adding the language follows models from several other states and aims to help smaller news outlets that face subpoenas and legal costs.
Representative Mathias and others asked whether the bill would protect sites that "look like news" but do not follow traditional journalistic practices. Erickson said the measure includes a definition tied to "regular journalistic activities" and that the committee should invite experts to the hearing for detailed testimony.
Representative Joe Alfieri questioned why a statutory provision is needed given First Amendment protections. Erickson replied that smaller outlets sometimes cannot afford legal defense and that explicit statutory protection would clarify expectations and reduce litigation costs for minor outlets.
Representative Hawkins asked the sponsor to return with a clearer definition of what would qualify as legitimate journalism and said he did not intend to hold the RS for printing but wanted a fuller explanation at the hearing.
The committee voted unanimously to introduce RS 32,170; the transcript records the RS being printed for hearing and expert testimony to follow.
