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| Home Front: Politix |
| Senate Bill Proposes Press Shield |
| 2006-06-30 |
| Bill introduced a month ago by Lugar, Specter, Dodd, Graham, and Shumer. Currently in Judiciary Committee. Provides a shield unless non-disclosure is blocking the resolution of a criminal or civil case Notwithstanding sections 1 through 6, a journalist, any person who employs or has an independent contract with a journalist, or communication service provider has no privilege against disclosure of any information to the extent such information is reasonably necessary to stop or prevent reasonably certain-- (1) death; or (2) substantial bodily harm. They can't protect their terrorist sources. [However, the press has no privilege if a court has determined that] "(2) in a criminal investigation or prosecution of an unauthorized disclosure of properly classified Government information by an employee of the United States, such unauthorized disclosure has seriously damaged the national security, alternative sources of the information identifying the source have been exhausted, and the harm caused by the unauthorized disclosure of properly classified Government information clearly outweighs the value to the public of the disclosed information." i.e. the press probably wouldn't have to disclose the Plame source, but they must disclose the source who outed the SWIFT program. (But then, they've been claiming that the Plame leak is serious, and reasonable people would agree that the value to the public is zero, so maybe they do have to disclose the source....) Some classified information has no real importance, leak away, business as usual. |
| Posted by:KBK |
| #6 What? They want another flood? |
| Posted by: newc 2006-06-30 20:50 |
| #5 Introduced a month ago . . . before the SWIFT program leak. Betcha it doesn't go nowhere now. |
| Posted by: Mike 2006-06-30 15:24 |
| #4 BS You're absolutely right. Any bill like this implies the certification of who is and isn't a journalist. That's a road we DEFINITELY want to avoid. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2006-06-30 15:18 |
| #3 We need existing laws enforced. Not more bullsh*t laws. Just like the illegal alien issue. The Executive branch has the authority to prosecute. They just need the will to do the right thing. See Burglar, Sandy, et al |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2006-06-30 15:13 |
| #2 "Senate Bill Proposes Press Shield" NO. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2006-06-30 14:40 |
| #1 The problems of this republic do not include insufficient protections afforded the media. One problem that does exist, however, is the rampant bias and reckless abuse of privilege by the media. First we need vigorous and relentless prosecution of leakers who have breached their oaths and clearly violated the law - to the detriment of the security of the US. Second, the media involved are co-conspirators. There would be no incentive to leak without them. They are part and parcel. They are testing the limits of their power with acts of sedition. This will grow - and it is entirely likely it already has endangered the very existence of America. Third, many of our legislators are complicit. Lugar, Specter, Dodd, Graham and Schumer (there are many others, of course) have identified themselves as either willful idiots, useful tools or co-conspirators. Actions are what matters - and attempting to provide additional, excessive, cover for seditious interests places them on the wrong side of the existing law. This must be faced eventually. If not now, when? After the damage leads to thousands more dead Americans? |
| Posted by: Angaimble Flairong5737 2006-06-30 13:48 |