Shield Laws

A detailed Summary of Shield Laws

The United States was founded on many fundamental principals. Among these principles is the right of every citizen to have the freedom of speech. Shield laws allow for this basic right to be put into effect. A journalist's right to protect his sources is integral to the foundation of the Constitution, of which our country is founded upon. Without shield laws, the core of our principles is brought into question.

To better understand shield laws, one must first know what it is. A publisher, editor, reporter or other person connected with or employed by a newspaper, magazine, or other publication, press association, wire service, or any person who has been so connected or employed, cannot be judged in contempt by a judicial, legislative, administrative body or any other body having the power to issue subpoenas. For refusing to disclose, in any proceeding, the source of any information procured while connected or employed by a publication or for refusing to disclose any unpublished information obtained or prepared in gathering, receiving or processing of information for communication to the public, that person cannot be held in contempt. This includes not only the personnel associated with printed publications, but it

Reporters serve a great purpose in our nation and our society. We as the people of this nation, who are indeed endowed with rights that are unyielding, should and must protect our civil rights. The access to information supplied to us by reporters in the field of news, communication, or otherwise. By protecting their rights and their sources, we, in essence, protect our rights. We must not tolerate forceful actions on the part of the government. Fear should not be a weapon used in order to deprive reporters and their sources of their intrinsic rights. Fear is a weapon for dictators and totalitarian rulers. Our nation has evolved beyond that, and should therefore, not allow it to occur on our nation's soil.

The freedom of the press extends not only to those who report the news, but also to the masses that receive it. Without shield laws sources of reporters would withhold their information for fear of persecution from the courts. Without such sources the people of this nation would not receive the information that they would otherwise receive. Also, if these sources had information that would have debilitating effects on the government, the government could use their power to instill fear into the sources. If our nation was reduced to such standards, we would not be much better than the totalitarian dictatorships we

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Approximate Word count = 897
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous

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