Judiciary committee approves shield law
The House Judiciary Committee a bill that would create a federal shield law to protect reporters in most instances from being compelled to testify about confidential sources. The bill provides exceptions in extraordinary circumstances like terrorism and imminent danger.
Journalism groups have been calling for a shield law for years, and the cry intensified after the Scooter Libby fiasco landed Judith Miller of the New York Times in jail.
The companion bill in the Senate is still up in the air, and it is far from clear how far the bill will actually advance. But the Society of Professional Journalists commended the action. Surprise!
