Lawmakers and journalists warn of threats to First Amendment at Capitol Hill hearing

In a recent hearing on Capitol Hill, members of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution and Limited Government issued dire warnings about the erosion of the First Amendment. Congressman Chip Roy, R-Texas, expressed concerns about executive interference having a chilling effect on whistleblowers and sources coming forward with critical information. He emphasized the importance of protecting First Amendment rights and pledged to delve deeper into the issue.

During the hearing, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, echoed Roy’s sentiments, highlighting the pivotal role of First Amendment rights in a democratic society. The witnesses at the hearing included Sharyl Attkisson, host of Full Measure and former CBS News anchor. Attkisson shared her experience of having her computer hacked over a decade ago, with external parties gaining access to her work and classified documents.

Another former CBS News investigative correspondent, Catherine Herridge, who was recently fired by the network, spoke about her documents being seized on the day she was let go. Herridge described the seizure of her reporting files, including confidential source information, as an attack on investigative journalism. She expressed her concerns about protecting her sources and highlighted the ongoing legal battle she is facing to safeguard them.

Herridge also mentioned the “Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying” (PRESS) Act, a piece of legislation passed in the House with bipartisan support. The act aims to limit what journalists can be compelled to disclose to the government, providing protections for reporters. However, she noted that the Senate has yet to act on the legislation, despite repeated passage in the House.

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Penn., expressed frustration at the Senate’s inaction on reporter shield legislation, emphasizing the need for bipartisan support to protect journalist’s rights. Some Democrats on the committee suggested that the hearing aimed to address concerns about a biased mainstream media, a narrative that Republicans rejected.

Overall, the hearing shed light on the challenges faced by journalists in protecting their sources and maintaining press freedom. The testimonies of Attkisson and Herridge underscored the importance of upholding the First Amendment and ensuring the integrity of investigative journalism in the face of government interference. As lawmakers continue to debate reporter shield legislation, the future of press freedom remains uncertain, with the Senate’s response to the PRESS Act hanging in the balance.

Written by staticwire