112 groups sign on to whistleblower bill
Today 112 public interest groups, including SPJ, signed a letter urging Congress to pass legislation protecting whistleblowers (H.R. 985 and S. 274). The legislation would protect federal scientists who report efforts to alter or suppress research (e.g., global warming), protect FBI and intelligence agency whistleblowers, provide compensatory damages, grant due process, among other things. This legislation is needed because federal officials have attempted to control information by attacking government employees who go public about corruption. Journalists rely in part on people who do the right thing and come forward. The fact so many groups from so many different fields support the legislation also demonstrates its importance. For more information, see the SPJ press release and to make your voice heard, check out the Web site for the non-profit group Public Citizen.