The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously approved journalist shield protections for the first time, marking a historic milestone in the effort to strengthen press freedom in the Commonwealth. The measure, adopted as part of the Senate’s public records legislation, would protect journalists from being compelled to reveal confidential sources except under narrowly defined circumstances established by the courts. While the legislation must still be reconciled with the House version in conference committee before heading to the governor’s desk, the vote represents the strongest progress the proposal has made after years of advocacy. NENPA is proud to be part of the coalition supporting this effort, alongside the Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association, ACLU of Massachusetts, Common Cause Massachusetts, the New England First Amendment Coalition, Boston Globe Media, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association, and other organizations committed to protecting the public’s right to know. Read the full coalition press release here: https://www.nenpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Press-Release_-Senate-Approves-Shield-Bill.pdf