Dick Lugar: “the bill at the desk is introduced on behalf of myself, Senators Specter, Dodd, Graham, and Schumer. I am pleased to…”

“the bill at the desk is introduced on behalf of myself, Senators Specter, Dodd, Graham, and Schumer. I am pleased to join my good friends and colleagues, Senators Specter and Dodd, in introducing a revised version of the Free Flow of Information Act. I believe that the free flow of information essential element of democracy. In order for the United States to foster the spread of freedom and democracy globally, it is incumbent that we first support an open and free press nationally. The role of the media as a conduit between government and the citizens it serves must not be devalued. Unfortunately, the free flow of information to citizens of the United States is inhibited. Over 30 reporters were recently served or threatened with jail sentences in at least four different Federal jurisdictions for refusing to reveal confidential sources. I fear the end result of such actions is that many whistleblowers will refuse to come forward and reporters will be unable to provide our constituents with information they have a right to know. In 1972, the Supreme Court held in Branzburg v. Hayes, that reporters did not have an absolute privilege as third party witnesses to protect their sources from prosecutors. Since Branzburg, every State and the District of Columbia, excluding Wyoming has created a privilege for reporters not to reveal their confidential sources.…”