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Shield Law Proposal Unveiled Tomorrow
Okay, all you reporters out there. You can stop shredding your notes out of fear that prosecutors will demand them in court.
At least take a pause.
Congress is trying to come to your rescue with a bi-partisan bill that would protect notes, documents and sources from disclosure in most cases.
Reps. Rick Boucher, D-Va., John Conyers, D-Mich., John Yarmuth, D-Ken., Mike Pence, R-Ind., Rep. Howard Coble, R-N.C., are teaming up with Sens. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., and Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., to propose a federal shield law tomorrow.
Over the last few years more than 30 reporters have been compelled to testify or questioned about their confidential sources, notes and work product in criminal and civil cases in federal court.
A coalition representing more than 40 media companies and other journalistic organizations strongly back the bill.
The “Free Flow of Information Act of 2007” would set a federal standard for protecting confidential sources and journalists.
Some 32 states and the District of Columbia have “shield” laws in force in their state courts and 17 other states have recognized a reporter’s privilege as a result of judicial decisions.
Supporters of the measure say the law is needed because there is no uniform standards to determine when reporters have to testify.
The press conference details follow.
WHAT: News briefing on re-introduction of federal shield law in House and Senate WHO: Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) John Sturm, president and CEO, Newspaper Association of America David Rehr, president and CEO, National Association of Broadcasters Lucy Dalglish, executive director, The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press WHERE: 2226 Rayburn House Office Building WHEN: 1:00 pm EST, Wednesday, May 2, 2007
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