The Houston Chronicle has an editorial piece by John Beckworth and Sarah Wynne that argues for a Reporter Shield law. They make a persuasive argument that such a law would protect the confidentiality of press sources and that such protection is necessary to protect individual reporters. More importantly they argue, is the importance of protecting the news gathering process and to ensure a check on governmental power.
Last session State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and myself, proposed bills that would ensure journalists and their sources were protected in their job of keeping the public informed. Unfortunately, these bills were stopped by interests who bottled up the proposals.
A coalition of media organizations is reported to have re-committed to passing a shield law in Texas. We understand that people have strong opinions on this issue and I would be interested in your opinions regarding a shield law for Texas journalists. Now bloggers have the added interests of debating whether they should be included in the protections. I look forward to hearing from you.
Okay, the photo above does not contain a shield, but I thought it certainly looked dramatic.
5 comments:
I think that bloggers should be made to back up their sources instead of maliciously making up deceitful stuff. That is what you find in EARN MY VOTE'S blog. Pure trash. EARN is like the Enquirer. Pure bullshit!
How is this different than any other "special interest" legislation? The media forms a political lobby to get special treatment for themselves, and everyone else is left out in the cold. They aren't doing this for "the people" -- they are doing it for their bottom line, $$$. They are accountable only to their stockholders, not the public!
If you write it, be prepared to pay the consequences. The right thing is almost never the easy thing to do. If we shield journalists, they have no incentive to be responsible or truthful. They could make up something and call it an anonymous source. They SHOULD be prepared to go to jail to protect a source, or don't play with the big kids. Besides, only judges ever force journalists to give up sources. We ought to have faith in the judicial system.
Love the illustration. Lady Justice with some wit. Tell us more about the artist because I may steal his/her artwork for my blog.
Keep fighting the good fight.
Aaron,
You need to remind your readers that the legislation you carried last session regarding the shield law achieves one dramatic advancement – it defines "journalist" in Texas, and extends that definition to anyone who has a news and/or information outlet on the internet, including bloggers, web sites, et. al.
I also agree with one of your writers who expressed great concern that a shield law would encourage unscrupulous reporting by some journalists. I'm afraid I don't have an answer for that one, but that issue, and others, can be raised up if and when your bill gets a committee hearing. With your legislative seniority and membership on the Appropriations Committee, you should carry a lot of influence with this meaasure.
Finally, people with internet sites and blogs should be aware that they might be sued for libel for carrying other people's comments. The courts may throw out those types of lawsuits, but it will still cost the blogger money for legal defense. Just a reminder for people to protect themselves.
Good luck, and I hope to see you carry other open government legislation this session.
Best regards.
David A. Diaz
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