Greg Walden: “as a graduate of the School of Journalism at the University of Oregon and as the owner of radio stations with…”

“as a graduate of the School of Journalism at the University of Oregon and as the owner of radio stations with award-winning journalists, I am a firm believer in the need for journalists to be able to protect their confidential sources so they can have a vibrant and free press in America. This bill is about much more than simply shielding reporters. It is about protecting the public's right to know. Jailing reporters to force them to divulge their sources has a chilling affect on whistleblowers and investigative reporters. Thomas Jefferson said: ``Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press nor that be limited without danger of losing it.'' A vote for the Free Flow of Information Act is a vote to protect citizens and taxpayers from an ominous and oppressive government that seeks to silence its critics. And in America, such government power would threaten our freedom and our informed democracy.”