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NY A02086

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/15/2025

Primary Sponsor

Linda Rosenthal

Click for details

Origin

Assembly

2025-2026 General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Amends the definition of "professional journalist" in New York Civil Rights Law to include those working for web logs alongside newspapers, magazines, news agencies, press associations, and wire services

  • Creates a new legal definition for "web log" as a website or webpage containing an online journal with news, comments, and hyperlinks provided by the professional journalist or newscaster

  • Extends shield law protections to journalists and newscasters employed by or associated with web logs, preventing them from being held in contempt for refusing to disclose confidential news sources

  • Provides absolute protection from contempt proceedings in civil, criminal, legislative, or grand jury matters for journalists who refuse to reveal confidential sources or information obtained while gathering news for web logs

Legislative Description

Expands the exemption provided to professional journalists and newscasters from contempt to include employment or association with a web log; defines web log as a website or webpage that contains an online journal containing news, comments and offers hyperlinks provided by the writer.

Last Action

referred to governmental operations

1/7/2026

Committee Referrals

Governmental Operations1/15/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available