Shield laws to protect journalists from government prosecution or interference exist in 34 states and the District of Columbia, but there is no national shield, according to the National Press Club.
Without a national law, judges can force journalists to disclose their anonymous sources.
The House of Representatives passed a shield law on Tuesday. It goes to the Senate.
The National Press Club is urging Senators to approve the measure, which President Obama has promised to sign into law.
"It is past time that reporters have a national shield against government attempts to learn the identities of anonymous sources," said NPC President Donna Leinwand, a reporter with USA Today. "Unless reporters can withhold the names of sources on occasion, the press cannot do its job as well. If reporters cannot protect sources, it will chill their ability to shine a light on decisions and actions the government is trying to keep secret from the public -- actions about which the public has a right to know."
Read more from the National Press Club at the link below:
NPC Urges Senate to Pass Shield Law
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