Washington state Senate passes shield law
Steve Safran March 9th, 2007
The Washington state Senate voted in favor of a shield law, 41-7, Thursday. The House unanimously approved a similar law last month and it’s up to the pols to decide which version to pass on to the governor. This would give reporters absolute privilege from revealing confidential sources, but limited privilege on such items as unpublished notes and tapes. Here in Massachusetts, a shield law is being considered. (So it looks like I’ll be going to jail before Cory. Raise your hands if you’re surprised.) 32 states (and DC) have a shield law for journalists right now. As to the question of whether bloggers are journalists, the Seattle Times writes:
The bill defines a member of the media as anyone who is in the regular business of news gathering for publishing or broadcasting. Generally, authors of occasional opinion pieces or Internet bloggers would not be covered.
Whether bloggers will be protected under shield laws and under what circumstances will be a fascinating one to follow in the years ahead.
2 Comments Add your own
1. Joe Gannon | March 9th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
So then this law wouldn’t help the blogger from Tacoma. However, that’s a pretty loose definition open to broad interpretation by the courts, particularly if you consider something that’s online to be “published.” The courts would if it was a libel case against an online posting.
2. invitedmedia | March 9th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
good luck with having “a law”.
this current admin. has no respect for the rule of.
that silly old constitution.
it was over 200 years old for christ sake!
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