![]() It would provide coverage for anyone who “regularly gathers, prepares, collects, photographs, records, writes, edits, reports or publishes information of public interest” for dissemination to the public. The Society of Professional Journalists says opponents of the measure are concerned about who would be covered by the law and possible risks to national security.īut the bill addresses both of those concerns. “If we are to have a free press, it is necessary to protect the relationship between journalists and trusted sources to whom journalists have promised confidentiality.” But when we observe fledgling democracies around the world, Americans can see just how essential a free media are to democracy – and how easily they can be chilled. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, in a May 5 column in the Washington Post, said, “The importance of a free press is so woven into the fabric of our history that Americans often take it for granted. senators who voted against bringing the bill to the Senate floor are Republicans.īut there is one powerful Republican who supports the legislation. Like Cochran and Wicker, most of the U.S. We have to wonder why those agencies and officials are so fearful of a shield law for journalists? Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Department of Homeland Security and the Defense Department, among others. The law – called the Free Flow of Information Act – is opposed by the White House, U.S. The privilege extended to journalists is similar to that given to attorneys, clergy and medical professionals. The law contains some exceptions, including where national security is at issue. The shield law would allow journalists to refuse to reveal information and sources obtained during the news-gathering process. ![]() Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker should be ashamed for their action – or inaction – on a bill that would provide a federal shield law for journalists.Ĭochran voted against bringing the bill to the SenaĬochran voted against bringing the bill to the Senate floor for a vote before Congress convened for its August recess. ![]()
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