We’d like to share this breaking news with you about one of the issues SPJ has been tracking closely for several years: The shield law bill, S. 448, has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. It will now go to the full Senate.
“OUR OPINION: Senate should approve bill with or without White House help. The Obama administration’s efforts to impede Senate approval of a law designed to protect reporters from punishment if they refuse to divulge confidential sources are both surprising and utterly disappointing.”
“Communication gadgets are becoming increasingly pervasive in daily government operations, from cell phones to personal computers to handheld devices. But Sunshine Law advocates say Florida’s open government laws have failed to keep pace.”
The South Florida Society of Professional Journalists sent a letter encouraging Sen. Bill Nelson to fight for the passage of the federal shield law, which is expected to hit the Senate floor Monday.
SPJ headquarters learned today that the federal shield law bill will likely hit the Senate floor for a vote Monday, July 28. President Clint Brewer is urging SPJ and SDX board members to take an active role immediately in the passage of S. 2035, the Senate version of the Free Flow of Information Act.
The Society of Professional Journalists, along with the Government Accountability Project and 50 other organizations, has signed onto a letter addressed to Sen.’s Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.); Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii); and Rep.’s Henry Waxman (D-Calif.); Tom Davis (R-Va.) and Todd Platts (R-Pa.) in support of increased protections for whistleblowers.
Leaders of the Society of Professional Journalists say a federal judge’s order to force Washington Times National Security Reporter William Gertz to testify before grand jury further illustrates the need for a federal shield law.
Leaders of the Society of Professional Journalists Monday welcomed Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain’s support of the Free Flow of Information Act.
Leaders of the Society of Professional Journalists Friday urged members of the Bush Administration, the United States Department of Justice and members of the United States Senate to forego attempts to stifle the passage of S. 2035, the Free Flow of Information Act.
