WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 14: New York Times reporter James Risen answers questions during a news conference, where he and other journalists and journalism advocates talked about the Justice Department's pursuit of Risen's confidential sources, at the National Press Club August 14, 2014 in Washington, DC. Risen could face jail or punshing fines for not revealing his source of classified information for his 2006 book that detailed the CIA's efforts against Iran's nuclear program. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Press freedom organizations submitted a petition with more than 100,000 signatures to the US Department of Justice Thursday in support of New York Times reporter James Risen.

The petition demanded that the government stop all legal action against Risen, who has been involved in a six-year battle for press freedom, McClatchy DC reported Friday.

Risen has been ordered by the DOJ to testify against one of his alleged sources, former CIA agent Jeffrey Sterling, who is believed to have given him confidential information about the CIA for his 2006 book State of War. Prosecutors believe that Sterling gave Risen specific details about a failed CIA operation in Iran that then appeared in his book. Risen has refused to name his source, stating that he would rather go to jail than "give up everything I believe in."

In a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington Thursday, Risen said that his refusal to give up the name was "for the future of journalism."

Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press's Gregg P. Leslie said at the conference that Risen's case only demonstrates that “it is time to demand Congress pass a meaningful shield law.” While a shield law at the Federal level still does not exist, an amendment approved by the House in May offered some hope. The legislation, proposed by Congressman Alan Grayson, would prevent the Department of Justice from using certain authority to force reporters to reveal confidential sources.