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Press Freedoms
Struggling to Report: The Fight for a Federal Shield Law

— History of the Federal Shield Law
— Journalism Organizations that Support a Federal Shield Law

The proposed Free Flow of Information Act, also known as the federal shield law, protects journalists from having to reveal their sources and documents. The law, if enacted, maintains vital information for citizens and ensures journalists and confidential informants won’t be silenced due to the threat of federal prosecution or subpoena.

Under the proposed law, the federal government must prove to a judge that the information sought outweighs the journalist’s need to keep confidential information.

For too long, journalists have been prosecuted and incarcerated for refusing to hand over source names and information they have gathered while on the job. Many have lost countless dollars and resources fighting the battle. Others have lost days of their lives in jail.

The Society of Professional Journalists, with other news organizations and press advocates, strongly encourages the passage of this law and will continue to push for its approval.

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History of the Federal Shield Law

— September 2011: H.R. 2932 Free Flow of Information Act of 2011 introduced, an updated version of the original H.R. 2092
— July 2011: SPJ supports Jesse Eisinger in New York Shield Law case
— 2010: S.B. 448 loses support and dies
— October 2010: SPJ President sends a follow-up letter urging senators to vote on proposed S.B. 448
— July 2010: SPJ President sends letter to senators urging them to pass a federal shield law
— December 10, 2009: SPJ celebrates passage of shield law bill from committee
— November 4, 2009: SPJ supports shield law compromise
— October 6, 2009: SPJ President criticizes federal shield law changes in editorial
— October 2, 2009: SPJ is outraged by Obama administration changes to shield law bill
— September 17, 2009: SPJ encourages Committee to move quickly on federal shield law
— April 1, 2009: Shield law passes House, shifts focus to less-certain Senate
— February 11, 2009: SPJ encourages journalists to support shield law after intro in Congress
— August 11, 2008: Opponents to shield law off target
— July 31, 2008: SPJ disappointed that shield law stalls in Senate
— July 10, 2008: SPJ leaders take Shield Law case to the Hill
— October 5, 2007: Panel debates need for fed shield law that would protect journalists, sources
— October 4, 2007: SPJ leaders elated over shield law’s passing by Senate Judiciary Committee
— August 1, 2007: SPJ commends committee’s approval of federal shield law
— May 18, 2006: SPJ gives support to Federal Shield Law legislation

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Journalism Organizations that Support a Federal Shield Law

— Society of Professional Journalists
— American Society of Newspaper Editors
— American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
— Asian American Journalists Association
— Associated Press Managing Editors
— Investigative Reporters and Editors
— National Association of Black Journalists
— National Association of Hispanic Journalists
— National Press Photographers Association
— Newspaper Association of America
— The Newspaper Guild
— New York Financial Writers Association
— Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
— Radio Television Digital News Association
— UNITY: Journalists of Color