HR 368 · 96th Congress · Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Media and Individual Privacy Protection Act of 1979
Bill Progress
✓
Introduced2
Committee3
House Vote4
Senate5
EnactedLatest: Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary.(1979-01-15)
Plain Language Summary
[AI summary unavailable — showing source text]
Media and Individual Privacy Protection Act of 1979 - Title I: Media Source Protection - Prohibits courts, grand juries, State or Federal administrative bodies, State legislatures, or Congress from requiring journalists, newscasters, or print or broadcast organizations to disclose news or the source of any news gathered for publication or broadcast. Title II: Searches and Seizures Involving the Media and Individuals - Provides penalties for seeking evidence of a crime, under color of law and not incident to a lawful arrest, without first obtaining a subpoena. Permits a court to issue a search warrant if it finds at a hearing that there is probable cause that the person in control of the evidence has committed or is committing the crime to which the evidence relates or that the evidence sought would be destroyed, concealed, or altered. Stipulates that the fruits of an unlawful search or seizure shall not be admissible in any criminal proceeding. Authorizes aggrieved individuals to commence civil actions in U.S. district courts. Permits States to enact laws giving increased protection to the gathering or dissemination of news.…
Summarized by Claude AI · Non-partisan · For informational purposes only
Cosponsors (12)
6 Democrats6 Republicans