Dem lawmakers unveil Journalist Protection Act amid Trump attacks on media

Three Democratic lawmakers reintroduced a Journalist Protection Act that intends to designate "certain attacks on those reporting the news" as a federal crime.  

 

The bill was introduced by Rep. Eric SwalwellEric Michael SwalwellThe Hill's Morning Report - White House, Congress: Urgency of now around budget California Democrats face crisis of credibility after lawsuits CNN announces four more town halls featuring 2020 Dems MORE (D-Calif.), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.).

 

It was originally introduced by Swalwell in February 2018 when the House was under Republican control. Democrats officially took back the House this January. 

 

"The Journalist Protection Act makes it a federal crime to intentionally cause bodily injury to a journalist affecting interstate or foreign commerce in the course of reporting or in a manner designed to intimidate him or her from newsgathering for a media organization," reads the Tuesday press release. "It represents a clear statement that assaults against people engaged in reporting is unacceptable, and helps ensure law enforcement is able to punish those who interfere with newsgathering."

 

The lawmakers said they were introducing the bill as a response to President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump rips Dems' demands, impeachment talk: 'Witch Hunt continues!' Nevada Senate passes bill that would give Electoral College votes to winner of national popular vote The Hill's Morning Report - Pelosi remains firm despite new impeachment push MORE's "climate of extreme hostility" toward the media.

"Both before and since taking office, President Trump has blatantly stoked a climate of extreme hostility toward the press," the release said. "He has called the press 'the enemy of the American people,' and described mainstream media outlets as 'a stain on America.' 

"Such antagonistic rhetoric encourages others to think, regardless of their views, that violence against journalists is more acceptable." 

 

Trump has often referred to the media as "the enemy of the people" while regularly evoking the phase "fake news." 

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