I. Introduction: History & Background

Since the 1973 enactment of the "Free Flow of Information Act," Nebraska has had one of the broader, more absolute shield laws in the nation. Nebraska's shield law has generally been effective in limiting the number of subpoenas issued to reporters and, when such subpoenas have issued, has worked well at the trial court level to impose meaningful limits on the scope of testimony which can be compelled from reporters. The State's appellate courts have not addressed or dealt with shield law issues.