Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding media source confidentiality.
Summary
House Bill 158 creates a new section of Idaho law establishing a media-source confidentiality privilege for people engaged in journalistic activities. It prohibits compelling journalists to disclose the source of information published in newspapers, print publications, digital news outlets, or radio and television broadcasts, and also protects unpublished information, notes, and communications gathered or created during newsgathering.
The bill includes two express exceptions: disclosure may still be required where mandated by law in cases involving national security or imminent physical harm. It also contains an emergency clause, making the act effective July 1, 2025.
Impact
The bill amends Chapter 7, Title 9 of the Idaho Code by adding Section 9-714, creating a statutory shield for journalists and news organizations in legal proceedings, trials, and jury proceedings. It affects courts, litigants seeking discovery, and media workers by limiting subpoenas or other compelled disclosures of confidential sources and unpublished newsgathering materials, subject to the stated exceptions.
Sentiment
The voting history shows strong and unanimous support in both chambers, with the House passing the bill 69-0 and the Senate passing it 35-0. That suggests broad bipartisan agreement that the measure serves an important press-freedom and confidentiality function, and there is no recorded committee opposition in the provided materials.
Contention
No committee transcript is available, and the recorded votes were unanimous, so there is no documented floor or committee controversy in the provided context. The only notable policy limits built into the bill are the exceptions for national security and imminent physical harm, which likely reflect the main balancing point between protecting journalistic confidentiality and allowing disclosure when public safety or security is at stake.