/PRNewswire/ -- National Press Club President Mark Schoeff Jr. issued this statement:

"The Justice Department's choice to withdraw subpoenas targeting journalists at The New York Times marks a positive and essential action to defend the public's constitutional right to an independent press.

These subpoenas should never have been served initially. Requiring journalists to disclose confidential sources creates a chilling effect for those who aim to inform the public and endangers the foundation of press freedom.

Every American must grasp what is involved when the government applies its investigative authority to journalists. This is not ordinary practice. It represents a major overreach that hits at the core of the First Amendment and the right to learn about government actions.

The main threat came not from the subpoenas alone but from the signal sent: That sources could face exposure, that whistleblowers should stay silent, and that the public might receive less information on government conduct.

A healthy democracy requires a press able to report without restriction, scrutinize those in power, and keep citizens informed free from pressure.

We urge sustained attention to ensure journalists can work without interference and that rules protecting source confidentiality stay consistently enforced."

About the National Press Club

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club serves as the leading professional group for journalists and a key advocate for press freedom in the U.S. and around the world.

Contact: Beth Francesco, Executive Director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, [email protected]

SOURCE National Press Club