Federal shield-law bill coming up, needs support

Supporters of a shield law to create a limited reporter's privilege to protect sources in federal investigations have issued another, urgent call for action by journalists because the bill may hit the Senate floor on Monday.

The Society of Professional Journalists said in an e-mail to members in states with undecided senators or those on the Intelligence Committee, "SPJ headquarters learned today that the federal shield law bill will likely hit the Senate floor for a vote Monday, July 28." The states are California, Georgia, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

For information on the bill, click here.

UPDATE, July 30: The bill fell nine votes short of the 60 needed for debate to proceed. For a roll call, click here. Lobbying continues.