Governor Little Approves Legislation Safeguarding Journalistic Sources

By Greg Pruett • April 7, 2025

Governor Brad Little signed a piece of legislation several weeks ago that will protect sources for those talking to journalists.

What’s Happening: Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 158 on March 27th. The bill ensures that sources speaking to journalists cannot be subpoenaed unless there is a threat to national security or imminent danger to someone. In recent years, Idaho journalists have been targeted with subpoenas designed to silence critics of government officials and more. Idaho was one of eleven states without what is commonly called a Shield Law.

Digging Deeper: Idaho Dispatch has been targeted several times in recent years. Just last month, a lawyer threatened Idaho Dispatch with legal action, despite no wrongdoing on our part. Thankfully, we have great attorneys to represent us. However, a lawsuit could be devastating to the Idaho Dispatch. We would never disclose our sources, but wasting time and money on baseless legal attacks is not something we are looking to do, either.

While Idaho citizens are frustrated, and rightfully so, with many of Idaho’s mainstream media outlets, this is good legislation that will also help protect independent news outlets like Idaho Dispatch.