WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps hailed passage of the Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 (H.R. 2102).  The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support by a vote of 398 to 21.  The bill would ensure that reporters posses the ability to protect the identity of sources and report appropriate information without fear of intimidation or imprisonment.  The legislation would set criteria which must be met in order to compel the disclosure of sources and information from reporters in any federal criminal or civil matter to protect the ability of reporters to guarantee confidentiality to their sources.  These standards would carefully balance the public’s interest in the free flow of information with the fair administration of justice and the need of law enforcement and national security. 

“I believe that anonymous sources and confidentiality protections are critical for the success of a vibrant free press,” said Capps.  “And a free press has been vital to the functioning of our democracy.  From Watergate to the Iraq War, news stories partially based on accurate information provided anonymously to reporters has shed much needed light on important national security issues.  Under current federal law the Bush Administration could go after the reporters or their publications to pressure them to reveal the identity of their confidential sources, that is why we must enact the Free Flow of Information Act to protect journalists and their sources.”

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.