Sens. Specter, Lugar File Modified Reporters Shield Bill

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Senators Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and Richard Lugar, R-Ind., introduced a modified reporters shield law that does not provide the absolute privilege granted in an earlier Free Flow of Information Act Sen. Lugar filed. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which is “cautiously backing” the bill said the bill would give journalists a greater degree of protection in federal courts and applies the privilege to journalists’ records held by e-mail providers and phone companies. The analysis noted that the protections provided in the bill do not extend to non-confidential newsgathering work product. (5/18/06)