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Rocky Mount Telegram – Editorial: Broken shield

Rocky Mount (N.C.) Telegram
Oct. 24, 2007

President Bush is fond of speaking out for the freedoms accorded to a democracy whenever he sees a country under totalitarian rule. If only he would crusade as zealously when it comes to U.S. liberties.

Bush has said he will

Rocky Mount (N.C.) Telegram
Oct. 24, 2007

President Bush is fond of speaking out for the freedoms accorded to a democracy whenever he sees a country under totalitarian rule. If only he would crusade as zealously when it comes to U.S. liberties.

Bush has said he will veto a shield law for the press if such a proposal ever passes Congress. It's hardly a surprise, considering how rigorously this administration has pursued leaks and whistle-blowers in the executive branch. But it's disappointing, nonetheless, for the American people.

The nation's forefathers showed remarkable vision when they crafted the freedoms of press, speech, assembly and worship. The last thing a democracy can bear is a government that threatens the free exchange of ideas.

A shield law would simply protect reporters from having to reveal their sources. Some officials have argued that such a provision would threaten national security, but the bills before the U.S. House and Senate specifically say the press would not be protected in cases involving terrorist threats.

Why, then, does the president oppose such a fundamental tool?

Bush says the law would make it impossible for those in government to find out who's discussing what happens behind closed doors. But in our experience, it's rare that anything constructive comes out from political leaders who conduct their business in secrecy.

Make no mistake: Bush's opposition to the shield law doesn't stop with the media. His administration simply doesn't want the American people to know what's being said or who's doing the talking.

That might be good for a few high office holders. But it certainly doesn't bode well for democracy.

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