D.C. Council considers enacting shield law
Article Abstract:
The District of Columbia Council is considering passing the Free Flow of Information Act of 1991, which would define the privileges of reporters. The press would have an absolute privilege not to disclose information sources to any court, administrative agency, or governmental body with the power to subpoena, and this privilege would not be lost even if a reporter revealed the source to someone. The bill would grant reporters only a limited privilege to refuse to testify if the information requested could be shown to be of an overriding public interest.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
A special role for the media?
Article Abstract:
The reluctance of the Senate Intelligent Committee to deny the Central Intelligence Agency the ability to have agents pose as journalists suggests that many lawmakers fail to understand the fundamental democratic principles that the press upholds. Legislators and courts have been willing to deny journalists the privileges that are a necessary part of effective news-gathering and have been claiming that the press should be treated no different than any other industry. Government encroachment on press functions undermine First Amendment protections.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Legislature passes nation's 31st shield law after long struggle
Article Abstract:
Florida passed a press shield law in May 1998, following 29 other states and the District of Columbia. The bill protects journalists from being subpoenaed or forced to disclose their sources. A case by a reporter relying on the law was filed in June 1998 and the privilege was upheld.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: 'Unsettling' defaults spur reform: DOT IG. Legislators take aim at shipbuilding loans
- Abstracts: Access to electronic records: a guide to reporting on state and local government in the computer age. U.S. must give British extradition letter to lawyer
- Abstracts: Appellate court, state legislature deal blows to efforts for reporter's privilege. Reporters jailed for refusal to testify at trial
- Abstracts: Philip Morris wins right to reporters' records. Improper testimony about source must be challenged at trial, court says