SPJ demands congressional action following federal subpoenas seeking NYT journalists’ sources

Media Contact:
SPJ Communication, communications@spj.org

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Following the U.S. Department of Justice’s ill-advised subpoena of four New York Times reporters, the Society of Professional Journalists demands that Congress strengthen protections for journalists against compelled disclosure of confidential sources.

SPJ urges the Justice Department to withdraw subpoenas seeking to force the reporters to identify confidential sources for stories concerning security issues involving the president’s Qatari-donated aircraft. The Society further calls on Congress to exercise vigorous oversight of the Justice Department’s use of subpoenas against journalists and to reaffirm that protecting confidential sources is essential to a free press.

SPJ encourages its members and the public to contact their members of Congress to express support for strong protections for journalist-source confidentiality and to implore lawmakers to strengthen federal safeguards for journalists against compelled disclosure of source information.

“Protecting confidential sources is fundamental to journalism and to the public’s ability to hold those in power accountable,” said SPJ President Chris R. Vaccaro. “Journalists and all supporters of a free press should let their senators and representatives know that subpoenaing reporters to expose confidential sources is unacceptable.”

SPJ has consistently defended the essential role source protection plays in a free press. In 2024, SPJ advocated for the passage of the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying (PRESS) Act, federal shield legislation that would establish protections for journalists and their confidential sources.

Whether attempts to unmask sources occur under Democratic or Republican administrations, SPJ’s position remains the same: the government should not use its authority in ways that unnecessarily burden, intimidate or retaliate against journalists engaged in lawful newsgathering.

“A free press depends on journalists reporting without government intimidation,” said SPJ Executive Director Caroline Hendrie.“SPJ will continue advocating for policies and practices that protect journalists’ ability to gather and report the news independently and ethically.”  

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