Topeka ? Kansas journalists now have additional legal protection regarding confidential sources and unpublished material under a law signed by Gov. Mark Parkinson.

The bill is among 13 the governor signed Thursday. It gives journalists limited protection against being forced to identify anonymous sources or disclose information they haven’t published or broadcast.

A journalist could be forced to comply with a subpoena only if a district court judge ruled that the party seeking the information made a reasonable effort to obtain it some other way.

The Kansas Press Association was the primary supporter of the bill. KPA executive director Doug Anstaett says the law will encourage reporters and their sources to step forward to uncover abuse and corruption in government.