What's happening
This bill amends the civil rights law to extend journalist contempt protections to those working for web logs (blogs) in New York.
Why it matters
Extends strong legal protections against being forced to reveal confidential sources. to journalists working for blogs (“web logs”), not just those in traditional media like newspapers or TV. This means bloggers who are considered professional journalists have the same right to refuse to disclose sources in court.
Recognizes the evolving nature of journalism and news media. , acknowledging that important news and public information is now frequently gathered and disseminated by bloggers, not just traditional outlets. This update helps keep civil rights law relevant in the digital era.
Provides legal clarity and legitimacy for bloggers operating as professional journalists. potentially making it easier for them to protect their sources, gain access to press credentials, and be treated as peers of mainstream reporters in legal and governmental contexts.
May encourage greater investigative reporting and whistleblowing. by assuring both bloggers and their confidential sources that the law protects their communications, which could lead to more robust public oversight and accountability.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Protect Bloggers Like Journalists
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Protect Bloggers Like Journalists
In Senate Committee · Codes · Sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1249
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 11, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL, PAULIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the civil rights law, in relation to exemptions provided to professional journalists and newscasters from contempt
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph 6 of subdivision (a) of section 79-h of the civil rights law, as amended by chapter 468 of the laws of 1981, is amended to read as follows:
(6) "Professional journalist" shall mean one who, for gain or livelihood, is engaged in gathering, preparing, collecting, writing, editing, filming, taping or photographing of news intended for a newspaper, magazine, news agency, press association [or], wire service or web log or other professional medium or agency which has as one of its regular functions the processing and researching of news intended for dissemination to the public; such person shall be someone performing said function either as a regular employee or as one otherwise professionally affiliated for gain or livelihood with such medium of communication.
§ 2. Subdivision (a) of section 79-h of the civil rights law is amended by adding a new paragraph 9 to read as follows:
(9) "Web log" shall mean a website or webpage that contains an online journal containing news, comments and offers hyperlinks provided by the professional journalist or newscaster.
§ 3. Subdivision (b) of section 79-h of the civil rights law, as amended by chapter 33 of the laws of 1990, is amended to read as follows:
(b) Exemption of professional journalists and newscasters from contempt: Absolute protection for confidential news. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or specific law to the contrary, no professional journalist or newscaster presently or having previously been employed or otherwise associated with any newspaper, magazine, news
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04954-01-7
A. 1249 2
agency, press association, wire service, web log, radio or television transmission station or network or other professional medium of communicating news or information to the public shall be adjudged in contempt by any court in connection with any civil or criminal proceeding, or by the legislature or other body having contempt powers, nor shall a grand jury seek to have a journalist or newscaster held in contempt by any court, legislature or other body having contempt powers for refusing or failing to disclose any news obtained or received in confidence or the identity of the source of any such news coming into such person's possession in the course of gathering or obtaining news for publication or to be published in a newspaper, magazine, web log or for broadcast by a radio or television transmission station or network or for public dissemination by any other professional medium or agency which has as one of its main functions the dissemination of news to the public, by which such person is professionally employed or otherwise associated in a news gathering capacity notwithstanding that the material or identity of a source of such material or related material gathered by a person described above performing a function described above is or is not highly relevant to a particular inquiry of government and notwithstanding that the information was not solicited by the journalist or newscaster prior to disclosure to such person.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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