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S 2831 109th Congress Senate

Free Flow of Information Act of 2006

Official title: A bill to guarantee the free flow of information to the public through a free and active press while protecting the right of the public to effective law enforc… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to guarantee the free flow of information to the public through a free and active press while protecting the right of the public to effective law enforcement and the fair administration of justice.

Introduced: June 14, 2006 See on congress.gov
Law Armed Forces and National SecurityClassified defense informationConfidential communicationsCrime and Law Enforcement
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Crime preventionCriminal investigationEvidence (Law)Government Operations and PoliticsPrivileges and immunitiesProsecutionReporters and reportingSubpoenaTerrorismTortsWitnesses
This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 20, 2006
Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 109-837.
May 18, 2006
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
May 18, 2006
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4800-4801)
May 18, 2006
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action September 20, 2006

Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 109-837.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Free Flow of Information Act of 2006 - Prohibits federal courts in criminal or civil proceedings from compelling journalists to disclose their confidential sources or information which they obtain in a professional newsgathering capacity. Allows exceptions if a court finds that: (1) alternative means of obtaining such confidential information have been exhausted and reasonable and timely notice of a demand for such information has been given; (2) subpoenas for such information are limited in scope; (3) such information is critical to pending criminal or civil litigation; and (4) nondisclosure of such information would be contrary to the public interest.

Denies journalists a privilege against disclosure of confidential information if such information: (1) was obtained by eyewitness observations of criminal conduct by a journalist or involvement of such journalist in criminal or tortious conduct; (2) is necessary to prevent death or substantial bodily harm; (3) is necessary to protect national security; and (4) was provided or obtained without a promise of confidentiality.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 2831: Free Flow of Information Act of 2006. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-2831/
MLA
"S. 2831: Free Flow of Information Act of 2006." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-2831/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 2831, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-2831/.
Markdown link
[S. 2831: Free Flow of Information Act of 2006](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-2831/)
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