Sponsored by the California Newspaper Publishers Association, AJR 16 is the fourth resolution authored by Evans on this topic in as many years.
The absence of a federal shield contrasts with a review of state laws. Forty nine states and the District of Columbia have either a statutory or common law shield protections. California’s shield law was enacted in 1935 and was incorporated into our state constitution by the voters who passed Proposition 5 in 1980.
World Press Freedom Day is observed worldwide every year as an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, evaluate press freedom, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and to honor journalists who have lost their lives.
Right now, three American journalists are detained overseas: Laura Ling and Euna Lee, in North Korea, and Roxana Saberi, in Iran.
Referring to them, Tom Newton of the California Newspaper Publishers Association said, “Americans are rightfully concerned about the welfare of these journalists. These feelings must also be channeled to strengthen protections for journalists here at home.”
There are two companion measures pending in Congress to establish a federal shield law for journalists: H.R. 985 and S. 448, which would enact the Free Flow of Information Act. On March 31, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 985.
Further information about the pending Free Flow of Information Act is available at http://thomas.loc.gov.
<<Text of AJR 16>> |
