An Act to protect the free flow of information in Massachusetts

This bill establishes the Free Flow of Information Act to shield journalists and their service providers from being forced to reveal confidential sources or documents by government entities. It defines "covered journalists" as professionals who gather and publish news of public interest and "protected information" as any records or communications related to their reporting. Under the law, a government agency cannot compel a journalist to disclose their sources or personal devices unless a court finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that doing so is necessary to prevent terrorism or imminent violence. The bill also requires courts to notify the affected journalist and allow them a chance to be heard before ordering a service provider to hand over data, with narrow exceptions for cases involving immediate threats to life or the integrity of an investigation.