Bill: Draft Empowering Journalists Act

[emilypancakes22]

CONGRESS OF THE
COMMONWEALTH OF REDMONT
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A BILL TO

EMPOWER JOURNALISTS




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The people of the Commonwealth of Redmont, through their elected Representatives in the Congress and the force of law ordained to that Congress by the people through the constitution, do hereby enact the following provisions into law:


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PART I — PRELIMINARIES

1. Short Title and Enactment

(1) This Act may be cited as the ‘Empowering Journalists Act’

(2) This Act shall be enacted immediately upon its signage.

(3) This Act has been authored by Senataor Ameslap.

(4) This Act has been co-sponsored by Rep. emilypancakes22.

2. Reasons and Intent

(1) Promote informed debate.

(2) Ensure fair, equal, and transparent access to public officials.

(3) Make journalism a license to apply for instead of a trade.

3. Definitions

(1) For the purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) Journalist. A person engaged in the regular gathering, verification, and dissemination of information of public interest.

(b) Licensed Journalist. A journalist holding a valid license issued under this Act.

PART II — EQUAL ACCESS AND NON-RETALIATION

4. Journalist Specific Channel

(1) There will be a channel in the DemocracyCraft Discord that shall be given access to the following:

(a) Licensed Journalists;

(b) The President’s Press Assistant or a member of the executive as determined by the President;

(c) The Congressional Press Assistant or a staff member of the Congress, as determined by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate;

(d) A Clerk for the judiciary or a member of the judiciary, as determined by the Chief Justice.

(2) The purpose of the channel is to:

(a) Allow Licensed Journalists to ask questions;

(b) Allow the government to answer questions and give statements.

(3) All questions asked must be answered within 7 days.

(a) No classified information may be shared in accordance with the Classified Materials Act.

5. Non-Retaliation

(1) No Public Official may deny access or information to a Licensed Journalist as retaliation for coverage.

(2) Adverse treatment of a Licensed Journalist based on content or tone of reporting is prohibited.

PART III — JOURNALIST LICENSING

6. Journalist License

(1) The Department of Education shall move the classification of a Journalist from a Trade to a License.

(2) The Department of Education is authorized to establish a methodology for accepting, approving, and rejecting Journalist Licenses with the following criteria:

(a) The applicant:

(i) demonstrates understanding of journalistic ethics and role-specific functions;

(ii) commits to fact-checking and source transparency.

(3) Unlicensed journalists may not be entitled to any benefits established in this act.

PART IV — JOURNALIST PAY

7. Journalist Payment Program

(1) The Department of Education shall establish a grant system paying Licensed Journalists for their work.

(a) Funds for grants will come out of the Department of Education appropriations approved by Congress.

(2) Payment may not be withheld for its reporting or tone.

(3) Organizations that employ Licensed Journalists may submit work for payment on behalf of the Licensed Journalist.