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A reporter's shield law, for the public
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| Contributor | Ralphie |
| Last Edited | Ralphie Mar 01, 2006 04:13pm |
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| Category | Editorial |
| Media | Newspaper - Seattle Times |
| News Date | Wednesday, March 1, 2006 10:00:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Some stories don't get told. Not every person who wants to see a wrong righted has the fortitude to publicly risk their job or risk other types of retribution as a named source. The story is most controversial and the stakes the highest when the most pressure is brought to bear on a reporter protecting a confidential source. But the shield law will help. This law would serve more than a reporter on a story. It would also serve the public's right to know, especially if the story would otherwise remain untold.
House Bill 2452, which has passed the House, would protect Washington reporters, and others who make their living disseminating information to the public, from having to reveal their confidential sources.
The bill is carefully vetted and has impressive bipartisan support. Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna requested it, and Democratic House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, sponsored it
Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, worked with King County Superior Court Judge William Downing to draft a good amendment, attached in committee, that has garnered more support. It says judges could review, under certain circumstances and in secret, the confidentiality promises and overrule them, such as in cases in which a crime has been committed. |
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