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.
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Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 109-837.
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.
- Introduced in Senate Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
Cite this page
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 2831: Free Flow of Information Act of 2006. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-2831/
"S. 2831: Free Flow of Information Act of 2006." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-2831/.
S. 2831, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-2831/.
[S. 2831: Free Flow of Information Act of 2006](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-2831/)