# Subpoena (to a journalist)

Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 2 sources.

A legal order compelling a journalist to testify or produce records, such as notes, communications or unpublished material, often sought to identify a confidential source. Journalists' ability to resist such subpoenas depends on applicable shield laws or, at the federal level, Justice Department guidelines.

## Sources

1. DOJ rescinds news media guidelines: analysis. https://www.rcfp.org/doj-rescinds-news-media-guidelines-analysis/ Archived copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20260917203552/https://www.rcfp.org/doj-rescinds-news-media-guidelines-analysis/ (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 2025-04-25).
2. Federal shield law efforts. https://www.rcfp.org/federal-shield-law/ (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press).

Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/glossary/subpoena. The War On News, CC BY 4.0.