Information flow
It's disappointing that a Kansas senator has joined a small committee minority in opposing a reporter shield law.
U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback’s office wasn’t issuing any statements Friday to explain his vote against legislation that would shield reporters from being forced to reveal their sources in some federal court cases.
So we are left to speculate on why the Kansas senator was on the short end of a 15-2 vote in favor of the bill Thursday in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Brownback voted against the bill even after the committee accepted his amendment that would keep accused spies, agents of foreign countries and terrorists from claiming the same protections as journalists.
In addition to the 15 committee members, the “Free Flow of Information Act of 2007” is supported by more than 50 media organizations trying to protect the right of reporters to use information from unidentified sources when necessary. Although it is always preferable for sources to be named, forcing reporters to reveal their sources in court could have a chilling effect on reporters’ ability to bring important stories to their readers.
Those who oppose the bill reportedly contend it would hobble law enforcement and the efforts of intelligence officials to trace the source of leaks that could endanger national security. It’s almost funny to think that the intelligence community must depend on reporters to identify government leaks. The exemptions included in the bill for cases in which investigators are tracking acts of terrorism also seems to cover the national security concerns.
It’s disappointing that Brownback has lined up against those who want to protect the free flow of information in this country.