Journalists find an ally in Conyers

[babylonsister]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070506/NEWS07/705060674/1009

Journalists find an ally in Conyers
But shield law still faces hurdles

May 6, 2007

BY TODD SPANGLER

FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF

WASHINGTON -- A move to give journalists more protection from being compelled to reveal confidential sources has a new ally in the nation's capital -- Detroit congressman and House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers.

This week, Conyers signed on as a cosponsor of legislation requiring the federal government to prove it has an overwhelming need for a reporter's information before calling him or her to testify.

It also would limit the circumstances in which members of the media are compelled to identify sources to certain cases, such as those in which nondisclosure could compromise national security or put a person's life at risk.

Paul Boyle, senior vice president for public policy at the Newspaper Association of America, said the chances of passage "have brightened considerably" with Conyers and his staff working to come up with the legislation.

"They really dug their teeth into this thing, which was fantastic," he said.

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[peacetalksforall]

1. How does the bill differentiate between government meddling

into sources for legitimate protection and someone like Judith Miller who conspired with the government against the government?