House passes measure to protect reporters

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

House passes measure to protect reporters
Tue Oct 16, 2007 6:10pm EDT

By Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives defied a White House veto threat on Tuesday and overwhelmingly passed legislation that would protect reporters from being jailed for refusing to reveal confidential sources.

By a vote of 398 to 21, the House sent to the Senate a bill that would prohibit prosecutors from forcing reporters to reveal confidential sources, except under limited circumstances.

"Freedom of the press is fundamental to our democracy and is fundamental to our security," declared House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat.

The margin of the House vote was more than the two-thirds majority needed to override a possible veto by President George W. Bush.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1622517620071016?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews

[robinlynne]

1. good. I like it.

[NYVet]

2. New let's see if Harry can keep up his end in the Senate n/t

[...of J.Temperance]

4. I think Senator Reid will n/t

.

[...of J.Temperance]

3. Well done Nancy Pelosi

Like she said, freedom of the press in fundamental in ANY democracy....of course we know W isn't really a fan of freedom of the press, W just wants a fawning and defanged press that praises him all of the time.

[monktonman]

7. Yes to be fair I must say well done Speaker Pelosi.

Cudos to you madam.
Now, how about that impeachment?
Can we get going on that?

[Chomskyite]

5. Can Bush be compared to Putin on this issue?

If so, why not use that comparison?

[msongs]

6. how bout passing a law that would protect americans from bush policies? nt

[pacalo]

8. Now we need a law that protects CIA analysts from being outed by their own president.

Oh, wait...we already do.

Protection of reporters' confidential sources is a just law, but I hope those "limited circumstances" include the protection of lawful citizens against media thuggery designed to cause harm & danger by sycophantic journalists & immoral public office holders.