15 sources·Politics

Justice Department's Missteps Highlight Call for Press Protection Legislation Amid Trump’s Opposition

The DOJ inspector general found the agency violated its own rules in obtaining journalists' records, intensifying urgency for press protection laws that face political challenges.

27%

67%

The distribution of story sources: left-leaning (blue), center (light gray), and right-leaning (red).

Reliable

The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.

Balanced

The underlying sources are either a balanced mix of left and right or primarily centrist.

Subscribe to unlock this story

We really don't like cutting you off, but you've reached your monthly limit. At just $3/month or $30/year, subscriptions are how we keep this project going. Start your free 7-day trial today!

Get Started

No highlights available for this story.

Updated: Dec 10th, 2024, 10:47 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

The DOJ inspector general reported violations of agency rules in obtaining phone records of journalists and congressional staff during leak investigations from 2017-2020. This report underscores the urgent need for stronger press protection laws, especially as bipartisan efforts to pass the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act (PRESS Act) encounter significant obstacles in the Senate. President-elect Donald Trump’s calls to 'kill' the bill have intensified concerns about future press freedoms, prompting advocates to push for immediate legislative action before the end of the current congressional session.

Perspectives

Compare opinions on this story from liberal (Left), conservative (Right) or center-leaning news organizations.

No center-leaning sources available for this story.

History

A summary of how this story has evolved over the last 24 hours.