Maine governor signs shield bill into law

Maine became the 35th state to pass a shield law on Friday when Gov. John Baldacci signed the measure into law.

Sponsored by Rep. John Hinck (D-Portland), LD 2047 shields journalists’ confidential sources unless disclosure is of public interest or crucial to a case.

Kevin Burnham of the Maine Press Association praised the bill.

“We dissected it and a lot of the Maine Press Association Board worked hard on it,” Burnham said. “I think that it’s a needed entity in a reporter’s job.”