Welch Supports, House Passes Press Shield Law

Press Release

10.16.07 - Welch supports, House passes press shield law

Washington, DC - Rep. Peter Welch supported legislation today that protects journalists from being compelled to reveal confidential sources.

The Free Flow of Information Act of 2007, H.R. 2102, passed the House this afternoon and will "shield" journalists from being forced to reveal confidential information related to their work or put their sources at risk of prosecution.

"The free flow of information and a vigorous media are vital to our democracy and for achieving public accountability," said Welch. "This legislation strikes the right balance between protecting journalists and their sources and promoting the public's right to know."

The Act protects confidential sources unless a federal court determines that extreme exceptions apply, such as to prevent an act of terrorism, significant harm to national security, imminent death, or significant bodily injury. The legislation requires that, in the case of such exceptions, the compelled disclosure of evidence will be narrowly tailored.

While 49 states and the District of Columbia recognize a reporter's privilege through statute or common law, no uniform federal standard exists to govern when testimony can be sought from reporters.

Recent groundbreaking stories such as conditions at Walter Reed Medical Center, prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib, or the Enron scandal became public first with the use of confidential sources.

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