Freedom of the press may be one of the founding principles of the United States, but Senator Dianne Feinstein is on a mission to limit these powers. The fourth-term California Democrat has proposed an amendment to narrow the definition of journalism and give privileges to only those she deems “real reporters.”
Currently, most states have shield laws designed to protect journalists, but no such laws exist on a federal level. Recently, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved national shield laws, but Feinstein was unhappy with how broadly journalist could be interpreted and wrote up an amendment to address her personal concerns.
Feinstein discusses her amendment in a Senate meeting.
Feinstein’s suggestion is blatantly unconstitutional. The First Amendment is clear: “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press,” yet here is a member of Congress trying to do precisely that. By applying a strict definition to who can be considered a journalist, Feinstein is not only discrediting, but also destructing independent and citizen journalism.
Shield laws allow reporters to protect their sources and prevent them from having to testify against them in court. These laws are safeguards that ensure critical news is disseminated and the populace remains informed without government interference.
Feinstein seems chiefly concerned with affiliates of Wikileaks and other such agencies calling themselves journalists. She has been one of the most vocal Senators in calling for prosecuting Julian Assange, Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden for espionage. Evidently, publicizing some of the most critical information of our time that other more “reputable” agencies wouldn’t touch does not count as an act of journalism, particularly when the leaked info makes Feinstein look bad.
Indeed, despite alleging that she wants to protect only “legitimate journalists,” Feinstein has a history of showing no respect for legitimate journalists. On a trip to China while serving as San Francisco’s mayor, Feinstein told Evelyn Hsu, an American reporter, that she preferred Chinese reporters, explaining, “They just write down what we say.”
Feinstein’s limited definition of a journalist is “someone who is an employee, agent, or independent contractor for a media entity.” In an act of compromise, she did agree to take out the word “salaried” from her description of a journalist, though she called it an “unnecessary worry.” From my vantage point, restricting “real” reporting to jobs paid for by corporate entities is hardly an illegitimate concern.
How many people even trust mainstream media anymore? Print publishing is slowly dying, while cable news has devolved into corporate-sponsored propaganda disguised as “infotainment.” For crying out loud, MSNBC reporter Chuck Todd just told us that it isn’t his job to expose political lies. If Feinstein’s mission is to limit freedoms of the press to entities in the pocket of the powerful and wealthy, the real goal must be to further obscure the truth… while holding those who actually report the truth responsible for daring to expose it.
In her explanation for redefining journalists, Feinstein asks, “Should this privilege apply to anyone? To a 17-year-old who drops out of high school, buys a website for $5, and starts a blog?” Her comment reeks of classism and elitism, as if an average young citizen couldn’t offer valuable information to the public.
The fact is we need citizen journalists, independent media outlets and bloggers like those here at Care2.com more than ever. We need reporters who challenge authority, conduct actual investigations, cover all stories and spread the truth. Just because what these journalists reveal might be a little too “real” for Feinstein doesn’t make their work any less “real.”
Sign this petition to tell Dianne Feinstein to stop attempting to dismantle the First Amendment. A free press is essential to maintaining a healthy democracy free of corruption.
Truthout Is Preparing to Meet Trump’s Agenda With Resistance at Every Turn
Dear Truthout Community,
If you feel rage, despondency, confusion and deep fear today, you are not alone. We’re feeling it too. We are heartsick. Facing down Trump’s fascist agenda, we are desperately worried about the most vulnerable people among us, including our loved ones and everyone in the Truthout community, and our minds are racing a million miles a minute to try to map out all that needs to be done.
We must give ourselves space to grieve and feel our fear, feel our rage, and keep in the forefront of our mind the stark truth that millions of real human lives are on the line. And simultaneously, we’ve got to get to work, take stock of our resources, and prepare to throw ourselves full force into the movement.
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There are many terrifying planks to the Trump agenda, and we plan to devote ourselves to reporting thoroughly on each one and, crucially, covering the movements resisting them. We also recognize that Trump is a dire threat to journalism itself, and that we must take this seriously from the outset.
Last week, the four of us sat down to have some hard but necessary conversations about Truthout under a Trump presidency. How would we defend our publication from an avalanche of far right lawsuits that seek to bankrupt us? How would we keep our reporters safe if they need to cover outbreaks of political violence, or if they are targeted by authorities? How will we urgently produce the practical analysis, tools and movement coverage that you need right now — breaking through our normal routines to meet a terrifying moment in ways that best serve you?
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