A shield law is necessary to protect US journalists

[Commentary] One crucial job of a journalist is to look where she is not supposed to, serve as an advocate for the public’s right to know and disseminate information that people should see. Revelations about government misconduct, bureaucratic incompetence and undisclosed programs worthy of public debate are the result.

On Sept. 12, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved just such a bill by a 13 to 5 vote. The Free Flow of Information Act would shield anyone associated or once associated with a news-gathering operation — including freelancers, student reporters and bloggers — who is working with the intent to convey information on important matters to the public. In cases involving criminal activity, federal judges would have to balance the government’s interest in getting information from journalists against the public’s interest in maintaining a free and aggressive press capable of obtaining and disseminating information. There would be exceptions for cases in which non-disclosure would directly endanger people’s lives or national security. Post executives have been lobbying for a journalist “shield law” for years. We hope that after this year, they will not have to.