Journalism groups ask members to tell their senators they favor a federal shield law

The Society of Professional Journalists, the Radio-Television-Digital News Association and probably other journalism groups are mounting an effort to get Congress to pass a federal shield law, creating a limited reporter's privilege to keep sources confidential, as most states have. They are asking their members to contact senators, because the legislation has passed the House but stalled in the Senate. President Obama revived the issue in reaction to outrage from journalists about the Justice Department's search of telephone records of staffers of The Associated Press.

The Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, which publishes The Rural Blog, does not lobby, but we encourage journalists to make their views known to their elected representatives if they feel comfortable doing so. That's not lobbying, it's looking our for our professional interests, which should have a substantial overlap with the public interest. If you are uncomfortable with direct contact, perhaps you should write an editorial or column. The sites above have plenty of useful information on the issue.