Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Freedom Of Press Media Shield topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances media‑shield bill after journalists describe subpoenas and source risks
Summary
House Bill 158, a proposed media‑shield statute that would protect reporters from being compelled to disclose unpublished materials and anonymous sources, was advanced to the Senate floor with a due‑pass recommendation after journalists described subpoenas that forced testimony and released recordings in court.
Senators advanced House Bill 158 to the Senate floor after testimony from Idaho journalists and local news publishers who described subpoenas that they said had forced disclosure of sources, recordings and newsroom materials.
Senator Dave Lent, sponsor of the bill, said Idaho is one of 10 states without a shield law and asked the committee to move the bill. Melissa Daveland, president of the Idaho Press Club, described the proposal as a statute that “would do two things: make it so a reporter couldn’t be compelled to testify about their unpublished reporting or anonymous sources, and block attorneys from accessing unpublished materials, notes, and recordings through subpoenas.” She said the bill’s language was modeled on long‑standing Alabama and Kentucky shield laws and intentionally does not narrowly define journalism so newer forms of newsgathering are covered.
Local publishers described the real‑world impacts. Don Day, cofounder of Elevate 208 Media, said his outlet faced a subpoena for routine reporting and spent “several thousand dollars” and months fighting the request to protect sources. Nate Sunderland, editor of East Idaho News, told senators he was compelled to testify and had a reporter’s recording played in open court; he called the experience “a horrifying experience” that chills sources and whistleblowers.
Senator Foreman moved to send House Bill 158 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation; Senator Ricks seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote and the committee advanced the bill to the Senate floor for further consideration.
The bill’s text would prevent compelled testimony and preclude subpoenas for unpublished reporter materials, but it does not create an evidentiary privilege that blocks lawful discovery of published content. Proponents said the statute protects confidential sources and preserves newsgathering in a state facing an increasing number of subpoenas to local newsrooms.
