• by Ray Schultz , March 30, 2025

Idaho now has a media shield law that protects journalists and their anonymous sources.

Unanimously passed by the Idaho Legislature earlier this year, House Bill 158 was signed into law by Gov. Brad Little late last week, according to The Idaho Capital Sun. The state bill -- the 41st enacted in the U.S. -- takes effect on July 1. 

“Too many Gem State newsrooms have had to spend time and resources fighting subpoenas that would force them to betray their sources’ trust under threat of fines or jail time,” says Melissa Davlin, president of the Idaho Press Club, according to the Idaho Capital Sun. 

The bill states: “No person engaged in journalistic activities shall be compelled to disclose in any legal proceeding, trial before any court, or before any jury the source of any information procured or obtained and published in a newspaper, print publication, digital news outlet, or by a radio or television broadcasting station with which the person is engaged or employed or with which the person is connected.”

The bill continues: “No such person shall be compelled to disclose unpublished information, notes, or communications obtained or created through the course of newsgathering activities, except as required by law in cases involving national security or imminent physical harm.”