Contribute to the Federal Shield Law Campaign
In the last year, SPJ raised $30,000 to support a campaign for the passage of a federal shield law for journalists. The work to ensure passage of such a law is ongoing. Please join the Society in this effort.
To make a contribution using a credit or debit card, call SPJ today at 317-927-8000 ext. 200. Note that you would like to make a contribution to SPJ's Federal Shield Law Campaign.
To contribute by check, make the check payable to SPJ. In the "for" section of the check, clearly print "Federal Shield Law Fund." Mail checks to:
Society of Professional Journalists
3909 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46208
"A federal shield law has become essential now that prosecutors appear less constrained about hauling journalists before courts and grand juries," said SPJ President Irwin Gratz, a radio news
anchor with the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. "Courts are proving little help either, setting aside the partial protections recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court in its Branzburg v. Hayes ruling."
Latest Updates July 30, 2008: Shield Law stalls in Senate
The Society of Professional Journalists is disappointed in the Senate’s vote today that stalled S. 2035, the Senate version of the Free Flow of Information Act, also known as the federal media shield law. Continue reading
July 16, 2008: SPJ President Clint Brewer's letter to Sen. John Cornyn's office urging support of S. 2035
In a letter to Matt Johnson, Sen. Cornyn's Judiciary Committee Counsel, Brewer urges the Senator to focus on the act of journalism rather than defining who is a journalist. Read the letter [PDF, 164 KB]
May 10, 2008: New York Times: From Places Unexpected, Support for the Press
“An unusual cast of conservatives has added momentum to a bill that would protect the confidentiality of reporters’ sources, even as the Bush administration has lobbied vigorously against the idea.” Continue reading over at newyorktimes.com
May 5, 2008: Arlen Specter: Why We Need a Shield Law
“The importance of a free press is so woven into the fabric of our history that Americans often take it for granted. But when we observe fledgling democracies around the world, Americans can see just how essential a free media are to democracy — and how easily they can be chilled. If we are to have a free press, it is necessary to protect the relationship between journalists and trusted sources to whom journalists have promised confidentiality. For this reason, every state but Wyoming has established some form of reporters' privilege.” Continue reading over at washingtonpost.com
April 4, 2008: SPJ leaders urge Bush Administration, Department of Justice to forego shield law legislation opposition
Leaders of the Society of Professional Journalists today urged members of the Bush Administration, the United States Department of Justice and members of the United States Senate to forego attempts to stifle the passage of S. 2035, the Free Flow of Information Act. To read the complete release, click here.
FOI Committee This committee is the watchdog of press freedoms across the nation. It relies upon a network of volunteers in each state organized under Project Sunshine. These SPJ members are on the front lines for assaults to the First Amendment and when lawmakers attempt to restrict the public's access to documents and the government's business. The committee often is called upon to intervene in instances where the media is restricted.
Society of Professional Journalists
Eugene S. Pulliam National Journalism Center, 3909 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208
317/927-8000 | Fax: 317/920-4789 | Contact SPJ Headquarters | Employment Opportunities
