Senator Patrick Leahy says that legislation to create a federal media shield law has cleared a key hurdle and that’s a good thing.
Leahy chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee which approved the legislation. The shield law could provide new security for journalists trying to protect their sources.
Leahy notes that his parents ran a printing business and says he's been a long-time supporter of First Amendment rights.
The bill would establish protections for journalists who use confidential sources to find out what various government agencies are doing.
The action comes months after news that the Justice Department had secretly tracked the newsgathering activities of reporters.
