A resolution recognizing escalating threats to freedom of the press and freedom of speech worldwide, including increasing harm to journalists reporting in conflict zones and under repressive regimes, reaffirming the vital role that a free and independent press plays in upholding democracy, fostering economic prosperity, and keeping the public informed, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States Government in supporting democracy, human rights, and good governance in commemoration of "World Press Freedom Day" on May 3, 2025.
Sponsored By: Senator Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced
Summary
Press freedom is essential to democracy and public accountability. This resolution would warn about growing global threats to journalists and urge U.S. leaders to act to protect journalists and defend independent media.
Show full summary
- Journalists: Would call for the unconditional and immediate release of wrongfully detained journalists and condemn actions that led to at least 124 journalists and media workers killed in 2024 and about 361 journalists imprisoned that year.
- U.S. foreign policy: Would ask the President and the Secretary of State to preserve U.S. leadership on press freedom, transparently investigate and bring to justice attackers of American journalists, and support accountability for attacks on journalists worldwide.
- Democratic societies and the public: Affirms that an independent press helps expose corruption, refute authoritarian influence campaigns from the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, and inform voters about elections in 2025.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
HI • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 5/6/2025
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 5/6/2025
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 5/6/2025
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 5/6/2025
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 5/6/2025
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/6/2025
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/6/2025
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 5/6/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov