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HR 1962 113th Congress House

Free Flow of Information Act of 2013

Official title: To maintain the free flow of information to the public by providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain persons connected with the news media.

Introduced: May 14, 2013 See on congress.gov
Law Business recordsCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationEvidence and witnessesFirst Amendment rights
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Health information and medical recordsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaJudicial procedure and administrationNews media and reportingRight of privacyTelephone and wireless communicationTerrorismTrade secrets and economic espionage
This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) 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
Jun 14, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
Jun 14, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.
May 14, 2013
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
May 14, 2013
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 14, 2013

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Free Flow of Information Act of 2013 - Prohibits a federal entity (an entity or employee of the judicial or executive branch or an administrative agency of the federal government), in any matter arising under federal law, from compelling a covered person to testify or produce any document related to information obtained or created as part of engaging in journalism unless a court makes specified determinations by a preponderance of the evidence, including determinations that: (1) alternative sources have been exhausted; (2) the testimony or document sought is critical to the investigation, prosecution, or defense of a crime or the successful completion of a noncriminal matter; (3) disclosure of an information source's identity is necessary to prevent an act of terrorism, harm to national security, imminent death, significant bodily harm or to identify a person who has disclosed a trade secret, individually identifiable health information, or certain nonpublic personal information; and (4) the public interest in compelling disclosure of the information or document involved outweighs the public interest in gathering or disseminating news or information.

Defines "covered person" as a person who, for financial gain or livelihood, is engaged in journalism, including a supervisor, employer, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of such a person. Excludes from that definition foreign powers and their agents and certain designated foreign terrorist organizations.

Defines "journalism" as the gathering, preparing, collecting, photographing, recording, writing, editing, reporting, or publishing of news or information that concerns local, national, or international events or other matters of public interest for dissemination to the public.

Requires the content of compelled testimony or documents to be limited and narrowly tailored.

Prohibits this Act from being construed as applying to civil defamation, slander, or libel claims or defenses under state law.

Applies this Act to communications service providers with regard to testimony or any record, information, or other communication that relates to a business transaction between such providers and covered persons. Sets forth notice requirements. Permits a court to delay notice to a covered person upon determining that such notice would pose a substantial threat to the integrity of a criminal investigation.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1962: Free Flow of Information Act of 2013. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-1962/
MLA
"H.R. 1962: Free Flow of Information Act of 2013." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-1962/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1962, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-1962/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1962: Free Flow of Information Act of 2013](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-1962/)
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