House Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing on Shield Bill

The first hearing on the federal shield bill in the House Judiciary Committee on June 14 went well for the pro-shield law community. While the Department of Justice continued with its opposition to the bill, former New York Times Columnist Bill Safire, First Amendment Attorney Lee Levine and Rhode Island television reporter Jim Taricani fired back with compelling testimony in support of a federal law. Safire recounted the chilling effect on reporters and the newsgathering process when reporters are forced to reveal their sources. When presented with the argument that information can be given to reporters anonymously without a promise of confidentiality, Safire emphasized that going beyond what is readily available is what distinguishes journalists and their investigative reporting. Levine also deftly handled the legal attacks on the bill. He noted that nothing in the federal shield bill disturbs defamation law, the 6^th Amendment right to a fair trial, or the procedural process for issuing and contesting media subpoenas. Taricani also discussed the personal aspects of being under house arrest after refusing to finger his source and reiterated the chilling effect on reporters and sources under the current legal climate.

Committee mark-up of the legislation could occur before the August congressional recess.

First Published:
June 30, 2007