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(October 17, 2007) Gillibrand Votes to Preserve Freedom of the Press |
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House passes legislation that will protect confidential sources and increase transparency over the federal government
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, local Congresswoman Kirsten
Gillibrand voted for the Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 [H.R.
2102], a bipartisan bill that will support the freedom of the press by
protecting their confidential sources. Passage of this bill is
essential because there is not a clear standard in federal courts for
recognizing a reporter's privilege of having confidential sources.
"This
legislation will allow more individuals to freely come forward with
information that could be beneficial to the public's knowledge. The
media often exposes scandals and abuses in the federal government and
the private sector, and this bill will help maintain their vital role
in society." Congresswoman Gillibrand added, "From uncovering the
horrible conditions at the Walter Reed Medical Center to the Watergate
scandal, the press has always served as an important check on
government, and this bill will enhance their mission."
The
Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 establishes federal rules for
prosecutors and journalists to protect the confidentiality of sources.
The bill contains exceptions for matters dealing with terrorism,
national security issues, and the death or bodily harm to members of
the public.
Some examples of how confidential sources have
exposed abuses in the federal government include Watergate, the
Pentagon Papers, Iran-Contra, the conditions at the Walter Reed Army
Medical Center and the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. The Free Flow of
Information Act of 2007 is supported by the major national print and
broadcast media companies, including The Associated Press, Bloomberg
News, CBS, ClearChannel, CNN, Cox, Gannett, Hearst, NBC, News
Corporation, The New York Times, TIME, and The Washington Post.
Congresswoman
Gillibrand believes it is important to increase the media's ability to
continue to provide transparency and accountability to government
officials.
The Congresswoman was the first member of Congress to
post her daily schedule of meetings on-line each day in her Sunlight
Report http://gillibrand.house.gov/sunlight.html and was among the first to post all her earmark requests and financial disclosure statements on her Congressional website http://gillibrand.house.gov. Just last week she sponsored a successful amendment to provide even more transparency in the federal agencies.
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