Pelosi Hails House Passage of Federal Media Shield Law

Pelosi Hails House Passage of Federal Media Shield Law

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Contact:Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. â€" Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement tonight on House passage of H.R. 985, the Free Flow of Information Act, which provides a federal media shield â€" a qualified privilege for journalists with regard to sources and information while recognizing the need for effective law enforcement and to protect our national security.

"With its vote tonight, the House seized an opportunity to strengthen and protect the freedom of the press that has served our nation so well. By passing long-overdue media shield legislation, the House is helping to protect this First Amendment right that is a cornerstone of our democracy and a principle that we cherish and promote around the world.

"It is appropriate that we acted on this media shield legislation the same week that we will debate the federal budget. This legislation will make clear to confidential sources that they will be protected in most circumstances when they bring forward public evidence of waste, fraud, and abuse in government and in the private sector.

"The federal government’s policies and actions should protect and preserve the ability of the press to speak truth to power. This legislation does so with appropriate national security safeguards, striking a careful balance between liberty and security. As the bill moves through the legislative process, we will work with the Senate to ensure that its protections encompass all forms of media.

"As we protect and defend our nation, we must protect and defend the Constitution by enabling our press to be free, as our Founders envisioned."