The United States Senate has only a few weeks left to pass the PRESS Act, a federal "shield" bill that would provide nationwide protections for journalists and their confidential sources. The bill, which has been waiting in the Senate since January, has bipartisan support and was passed by the House of Representatives with unanimous and bipartisan support.

The PRESS Act aims to protect journalists from being forced to identify or give up their confidential sources, except in emergency cases such as preventing an act of terrorism. The bill also limits the records the government can secretly take from journalists or their email or phone providers that could identify their sources, with narrow exceptions for emergency threats. This legislation is crucial in preventing the government from abusing its power and intimidating journalists into revealing their sources.

The need for federal protections for journalists has been highlighted by recent U.S. government abuses. For instance, the Justice Department under the Trump administration secretly seized phone records from journalists who worked for CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post to identify the source of a leak. Such actions can have a chilling effect on newsgathering, discouraging people from talking to journalists and ultimately harming the public's ability to be informed about issues that affect them.

The PRESS Act would provide blanket protections to journalists across the United States, including independent journalists and smaller outlets that might not have the legal resources to fight a government subpoena for their records. This is particularly important in today's media landscape, where we increasingly consume news from independent journalists and smaller outlets. These outlets play a vital role in holding those in power accountable and bringing important stories to light.

As a news outlet, TechCrunch strongly supports the PRESS Act, recognizing the importance of protecting and building upon press freedoms. Our own reporting has often relied on tips from readers, which have led to impactful stories about corporate wrongdoing, mismanagement in the startup world, human rights abuses, and major breaches and data spills. We have a history of standing up to legal demands to protect our sources, and we believe that the PRESS Act would provide essential protections for journalists to continue doing their job without fear of intimidation or retaliation.

The PRESS Act has already gained bipartisan support in the Senate, with co-sponsors including Senators Ron Wyden, Lindsey Graham, Mike Lee, and Dick Durbin. However, the bill remains stuck in the Senate Judiciary Committee, reportedly opposed by a small group of senators. As is often the case in Congress, a single opposing lawmaker can hold up the legislative process indefinitely. With weeks to go before the bill expires at the end of the congressional session, time is of the essence.

Individuals can take action to support the PRESS Act by sending a note to their senators using the ACLU's web form or by calling or emailing them directly to ask them to vote for the bill. The passage of the PRESS Act would be a significant step forward in protecting press freedoms and ensuring that journalists can continue to do their job without fear of government interference.

In the context of a potential second Trump term, the PRESS Act takes on even greater importance. As noted by The Verge, protections for journalists and their sources will become increasingly relevant in the face of government abuses. By passing the PRESS Act, the Senate can help safeguard the integrity of the journalistic profession and ensure that the public continues to have access to vital information about issues that affect them.