Blog
Beaumont Enterprise — Texas AG should back shield law
- By: ASNE staff
- On: 06/23/2008 15:57:24
- In: Shield law editorials
The Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise
June 20, 2008
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has generally been a supporter of the public’s right to know. He seems to understand that openness and accountability should be standard practices for government, not fallback positions. Abbot
The Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise
June 20, 2008
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has generally been a supporter of the public’s right to know. He seems to understand that openness and accountability should be standard practices for government, not fallback positions. Abbott can help further those goals by coming out in favor of a federal shield law for journalists.
Thirty-seven state attorneys generals have done that. They have signed a letter to the U.S. Senate supporting the “Free Flow of Information Act” (S 2035). The law would make it harder for judges to order journalists to reveal confidential sources.
Sometimes, whistleblowers will only speak to journalists if they can remain anonymous to protect their jobs, pensions or lives.
Confidential sources have helped journalists expose such scandals as the shoddy conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the mistreatment of prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, Enron fraud, steroid abuse in baseball, etc.
In 2005, Abbott signed an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to shield reporters. The bill before the Senate now would put that sentiment in federal law.
This bill has already passed the U.S. House but is being stalled in the Senate by some Republicans and the Bush administration. Abbott and the other attorneys generals should tell them that they have nothing to fear if they are following the law and behaving ethically.