Senate Panel Approves Press Shield Bill

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday advanced a bill to shield reporters from being forced to reveal their sources in federal court, setting up a floor fight between supporters and Bush administration allies who believe the measure would harm national security.


The 15-2 vote sent the legislation to the Senate floor, where it was expected to face more challenges if not efforts to stall or kill it. In the House, a similar measure awaits floor action.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told the Associated Press Managing Editors in a speech Thursday that she will bring it up for a vote this year.

The Bush administration, whose allies on the matter include U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, opposes the measure on grounds it would make it harder to trace the source of leaks that could harm national security. Fitzgerald subpoenaed reporters to testify against White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby in a case that grew out of Fitzgerald's CIA leak probe. Libby was convicted of obstruction, perjury and lying to the FBI; his sentence was commuted by President Bush.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071004/ap_on_go_co/congress_media_shield_6

[Demeter]

1. As Long As Those Sources Are Govt. Employees Lying About the Boss

otherwise, truth tellers go free.