{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=9346E5A8-929B-4B61-A00F-7F535D485133", "Klobuchar Requests Additional Information Regarding Department of Justice Review of Guidelines on Subpoenas for News Organizations", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Department\u2019s current guidelines, which were last updated in 2015, protect reporters engaged in \u201cnewsgathering activities\u201d from being prosecuted for doing their job; The 2015 revisions also expand high-level review, including review by the Attorney General, to enforce a subpoena against a media organization \r\n In a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Klobuchar expresses concerns about any potential action to weaken the existing protections for journalists in light of their previous exchanges before the Judiciary Committee this year \r\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2014 U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar has requested additional information regarding the Department of Justice\u2019s review of its guidelines on subpoenas for news organizations. The Department\u2019s current guidelines, which were last updated in 2015, protect reporters engaged in \u201cnewsgathering activities\u201d from being prosecuted for doing their job. The 2015 revisions also expand high-level review, including review by the Attorney General, to enforce a subpoena against a media organization. In a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Klobuchar expresses concerns about any potential action to weaken the existing protections for journalists in light of their previous exchanges before the Judiciary Committee this year.\r\n\u201cI write to request additional information regarding the Department of Justice\u2019s review of its guidelines on subpoenas for news organizations, which was announced in August\u2026I am particularly concerned about any potential action to weaken the existing protections for journalists in light of our previous exchanges before the Judiciary Committee this year,\u201d Klobuchar wrote. \u201cAt the same time, you acknowledged in your confirmation hearing that \u2018there is a broadly recognized and proper deference to the news media\u2019 within the Department with respect to protections for journalists, and it is my hope that that same appreciation for the media\u2019s role is seriously considered as part of the Department\u2019s current effort.\u201d\r\nDuring his confirmation hearing and at a Judiciary Committee hearing in October, Klobuchar questioned Attorney General Sessions about his commitment to defending the freedom of the press and not to put reporters in jail for doing their jobs. He responded both in the hearing and to a written follow-up that he had not had time to review the issue.\r\nThe full text of the letter is below.\r\nDear Attorney General Sessions:\r\nI write to request additional information regarding the Department of Justice\u2019s review of its guidelines on subpoenas for news organizations, which was announced in August.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Department\u2019s current guidelines, which were last updated in 2015, protect reporters engaged in \u201cnewsgathering activities\u201d from being prosecuted for doing their job. The 2015 revisions also expand high-level review, including review by the Attorney General, to enforce a subpoena against a media organization. In addition, Attorney General Holder committed to releasing an annual report on any subpoenas issued or charges made against journalists, and he committed not to put journalists in jail for reporting the news. These practices were all continued by Attorney General Lynch.\r\nIn light of the importance of these guidelines, I write to seek additional information on the Department\u2019s review of these policies. I am particularly concerned about any potential action to weaken the existing protections for journalists in light of our previous exchanges before the Judiciary Committee this year. At the same time, you acknowledged in your confirmation hearing that \u201cthere is a broadly recognized and proper deference to the news media\u201d within the Department with respect to protections for journalists, and it is my hope that that same appreciation for the media\u2019s role is seriously considered as part of the Department\u2019s current effort.\r\nAccordingly, I respectfully request that you provide responses to the following questions:\r\n \r\nWhat is the process by which the Department of Justice is reviewing its policies concerning media subpoenas? Which Department officials are involved in the review?\r\nAre other government officials from the White House or elsewhere in the Administration involved in this review? If so, which official(s) are involved?\u00a0\r\nWhen do you expect the review process to be completed?\r\nIs the Department consulting with outside organizations, including organizations representing journalists, as part of this effort? If so, which organizations?\r\nWill you commit to providing an update on any decisions made as part of this process to the Senate Judiciary Committee?\r\n \r\nThank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to your response.\r\nSincerely,\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=9346E5A8-929B-4B61-A00F-7F535D485133"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8591399528086185, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}