Bush administration opposes federal journalist shield law

The Bush administration does not want a federal shield law for journalists, and made that clear again this week. The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding hearings on the Free Flow of Information Act of 2006, and the Attorney General’s office is arguing that “Our national security is too important to be subjected to (the) standards and burdens” of having a litmus test. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D – VT) pointed out that six journalists have been fined or jailed in the past year for not revealing sources. The AG’s office countered with “There is not one shred of evidence supporting the notion that the Department of Justice is out to get the media.”