Shield Law Protection Considered Bill Would Prevent Media From Having to Reveal Sources in Court

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel › July 05, 2009

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Summary

Madison -- News reporters who receive confidential information from whistleblowers would be given legal protection from having to reveal in court their sources and records they obtain, under a bill being considered in the Legislature.

The measure is aimed at assuring those who want to step forward with information about public or private malfeasance that reporters can't be ordered to reveal their confidential sources, said state Rep. Joe Parisi (D-Madison), who introduced the bill in June with Sen. Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls), a former television and radio reporter.

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Shield Law Protection Considered Bill Would Prevent Media From Having to Reveal Sources in Court

"Without the promise of confidentiality, whistleblowers may not feel safe stepping forward," Parisi said. "A free press is so critical to our democracy and if people can't come forward to talk to the press, it threate...

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