By Ryan Blethen
The Seattle Times
Jan. 20, 2006

Excerpt:

[...] A shield law has to define who is a journalist. How is that precisely done with technology stretching the definitions of journalism?

Once journalists are classified, a door opens for future legislation of journalism. I cannot help but imagine what happens when [Washington Attorney General Rob] McKenna, and others, like King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng, who support McKenna, are replaced by politicians who would use the shield law as a way to regulate the press.

The First Amendment of the Constitution, which forbids Congress from making laws that infringe on the press, is not a guarantee. Like everything in the Constitution, press infringements can be debated, interpreted and changed. A number of seemingly benign additions to the shield law could calcify around the First Amendment and transform the press into a spectator of the defeat of democracy. [...]

The use of unnamed sources is necessary but abused. Some stories would never be written if it were not for a journalist assuring a source confidentiality. Problem is, the unnamed source has crept into the daily report with frightening regularity. Mundane stories, especially from Washington, D.C., are littered with quotes by Somebody Close to the Situation. [...]

Instead of relying on politicians for protection, journalists should put their trust in the First Amendment, which has worked thus far, and practice responsible journalism that puts the reader first.

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