House Passes Federal Shield Law, RTNDA Talks Next Steps
CONTACT: Stacey Staniak, 202-467-5205 or staceys@rtnda.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2007
RTNDA Applauds Passage of a Federal Shield Law in the House;
Will Focus Next on the Senate to Pass Similar Legislation
WASHINGTON — The Radio-Television News Directors Association applauds House passage of a federal shield law October 16 to protect journalists from being forced to disclose their confidential sources. The representatives voted by an overwhelming margin of 398 to 21 in favor of the bill. A similar bill in the Senate (S. 1267) was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and is now awaiting a vote by the full Senate. President Bush said yesterday he would veto the bill, but the margin of the House vote is wide enough to override a veto in that body.
RTNDA is a member of a coalition of 40 media companies and journalistic organizations that advocate a the Free Flow of Information Act. The bipartisan bill, introduced in May, establishes a federal standard to safeguard journalists’ ability to gather important information from sources who would otherwise be reluctant to come forward. Although 33 states and the District of Columbia have shield laws and 17 other states have recognized reporter’s privilege as a result of judicial decisions, federal courts have no uniform set of standards to govern when testimony may be sought from reporters.
The legislation is sponsored by Reps. Rick Boucher (D-VA), John Conyers (D-MI), Mike Pence (R-IN), Howard Coble (R-NC) and John Yarmuth (D-KY) in the House and Sens. Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) in the Senate.
“Thanks to all RTNDA members who took the time to contact their representatives in support of the federal shield law. They sent a message that protecting confidential sources not only safeguards a free press, but also preserves the public’s right to know,†RTNDA president Barbara Cochran said. “We’ll focus on the Senate next to keep the momentum going.â€
As written, H.R. 2102 provides journalists with a qualified privilege, requiring them to testify to prevent “imminent and actual harm” to national security or “imminent death or significant bodily harm” to individuals. Journalists would also be required to reveal sources if such testimony could identify someone who has disclosed significant trade secrets or certain financial or medical information, or if a compelling case can be made that there is an overriding public interest in the disclosure.
The legislation also protects information — held by telephone companies, Internet services and other communications providers — that would otherwise reveal confidential sources.
RTNDA is the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTNDA represents local and network news professionals in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 countries. For more information, visit http://www.rtnda.org/.