Federal Shield Bill Passed of House Judiciary Committee

On Aug. 1, the House Judiciary Committee favorably reported H.R. 2102, the Free Flow of Information Act. The bill was approved by voice vote without objection. Despite other legislative campaigns, this is the furthest that a federal shield bill has moved in a Congress in the last 40 years. H.R. 2102, which is supported by more than 40 media companies and organizations working for federal protection of journalists' confidential sources, is now one step closer to a floor vote in the House. Similar legislation (S. 1267) is awaiting action in the Senate.

During the committee mark-up, the sponsors of the legislation, Reps. Rick Boucher (D-VA) and Mike Pence (R-IN), were excellent advocates in fending off harmful amendments and reiterating the important need for a federal shield bill.

After Congress returns from the Congressional recess in early September, NAA expects the sponsors will address some of the concerns raised in committee and start laying the groundwork for a floor vote in the House. These concerns include the scope of the definition of journalist, the treatment of “leaks” of classified information and law enforcement issues.

NAA believes the diligent back home contacts by NAA members with representatives on the House Judiciary Committee were invaluable to our legislative effort and the positive result. Thank you! In preparation for a floor vote, NAA will need additional support from other newspapers to help educate the entire House of Representatives on the need for a federal shield law. At the moment, H.R. 2102 has solid bi-partisan support with 71 co-sponsors (45 Democrats / 26 Republicans), but more work will be needed in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned for communications from the NAA in the coming weeks.

First Published:
August 29, 2007