Federal Journalist Shield Law Advances

A journal entry by twitter alerts us that the US Free Flow of Information Act cleared the House Judiciary Committee last week. It is designed as a shield for the confidential sources of journalists, and the bill's sponsors intend that the definition of "journalist" be broad enough to encompass at least some bloggers. The language voted out of the Judiciary Committee stipulates that protections apply only to those who derive "financial gain or livelihood from the journalistic activity" — this could cover anybody with a blog and an AdWords account, and this worries some opponents. The Register's coverage notes "several exceptions regarding terrorism, national security, imminent death and trade secret leaks." If this act becomes law, it would override all state shield laws, some of which may now provide stronger protections. The bill seems unlikely to go anywhere any time soon as its counterpart in the Senate has received no attention, and in its present form it would likely be opposed by the Bush administration.

Comments

Thats daangerous territory

[Anonymous Coward]

Letting our government define who are and aren't journalists is really dangerous.

I must have midded someting....

[delirium of disorder]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech*, or of the press*; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances

*Except regarding terrorism, national security**, imminent death and trade secret leaks.

**"National security" never means the safety of the people living in a nation. If it did, perusing national security would mean working for a sustainable economy, a non-agressive (defensive only) military policy, or perhaps health care and highway safety. "National security" must actually mean something like, "actions taken to further enrich the military industrial complex" or "the right to invade other nations to control their resources".