Senators, J-Groups, White House Agree on Shield Law Provisions

Federal legislation to protect reporters from having to reveal confidential sources may be back on track after a deal was reached last week by key senators, journalism groups, and the White House. A markup in the Senate Judiciary Committee, possibly November 5, 2009, could tell.

The tentative agreement reportedly narrows a national security exemption to the "reporters privilege" of confidentiality, and an extension of the shield to many freelancers and bloggers. The exact language of the compromise has not yet been released.

The shield law bill (S 448) had been stuck in Senate Judiciary for months.  

• Full text of agreed-upon legislation.
• "Senate, White House Agree on Reporter Protections," Associated Press, October 30, 2009.
• "White House, Senators Agree on Media Shield Law," Washington Post, October 31, 2009, by Walter Pincus.
• "Revised Senate Shield Law Could Apply to Freelancers, Bloggers," The Hill, October 30, 2009, by Tony Romm.
• "Senators Announce Compromise on Federal Shield Bill," News Media Update, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, October 30, 2009, by Ansley Schrimpf.
• "Shield Law Vote Likely, Thursday, Nov. 5," American Society of Newspaper Editors, October 30, 2009.
• Release of October 30, 2009, from Sen. Charles Schumer.
• Release of October 30, 2009, from Sen. Arlen Specter.
• Previous Story: WatchDog of October 7, 2009.