By Adam Himmelberger
The Daily Campus (University of Connecticut)
Oct. 4, 2005
Excerpt:
The plight of Miller has brought the debate for a federal shield law once again into the spotlight to prevent journalists from going to jail for refusing to break their professional oath and release a confidential source’s identity.
The journalism major inside of me says right on, there should absolutely be a shield law in every state and a federal one implemented to protect journalists, enable them to do their job and provide a vital public service. If crucial sources are fearful of talking to the press and withhold key information, the watchdog role is stifled, and that my friends, would put a damper on the freedom of the press which is vital to any democracy. My inner political scientist counters that this is a violation of court orders and the law. Also, what about instances where national security may be at stake, or someone’s livelihood or life even, who would decide when a reporter should reveal the source and when not?
