Senate leaders ought to allow their colleagues to vote on the Free Flow of Information Act.
The measure, HR 2102, is also known as the federal reporter’s shield law. It was authored by Rep. Mike Pence, an Indiana Republican. Sen. Richard Lugar authored a companion bill in the U.S. Senate, and Sen. Evan Bayh is a co-sponsor.
This measure has already passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 398-21, but time is running out for action in the Senate. If the measure does not win approval before the body adjourns in four weeks, the bill will go back to square one, forced to make its way through the entire legislative process again next year.
Without this protection, reporters will continue to be faced with a choice between going to jail and breaking a promise. The whole idea goes against the very concept of a free and unfettered press.
In the end, though, this bill isn’t about protecting reporters. It’s about protecting you, the public, and your right to know what’s going on in the government your tax dollars support.
Now and then, a courageous public servant will come out publicly to blow the whistle on government wrongdoing or incompetence, but more often than not, these folks want to offer their information anonymously. Folks like Deep Throat of Watergate fame simply won’t come forward without a promise of confidentiality, and reporters should not be required to go to jail to keep those promises.
“Sadly, today the free and independent press in America is under fire,” Pence said in a speech last week on the House floor. “In recent years, more than 40 journalists have been subpoenaed, questioned or held in contempt for failure to reveal their confidential sources.”
The press plays a crucial role as a watchdog on government, Pence said.
“Long ago,” he said, “Thomas Jefferson warned that, ‘Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that limited without danger of losing it.’ Jefferson’s words hold true today, and the passage of the Free Flow of Information Act in this Congress is necessary not only to explicitly and fully provide for the freedom of the press in our nation, but also to protect our liberty for future generations of Americans.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
– Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, and Kokomo Tribune
Opinion
It’s time for Senate to act
- Opinion
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White shouldn’t return to office
The issue: The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state.
Our view: Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.
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Editorial - Feb. 8, 2012: Grand success for Indianapolis
The issue: The Super Bowl.
Our view: Indianapolis left a great impression on thousands of visitors.
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Letters to the Editor: Feb. 8, 2012
As Hoosiers celebrate the conclusion of a truly remarkable Super Bowl experience, there is even more good news that should fill us with pride. More Indiana students are graduating from high school than ever before.
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Which religions will we include?
The Indiana Senate last week approved a bill that would allow public schools to teach creationism, as long as they include theories from multiple religions.
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If you say so
In an opinion piece we published Thursday, state Rep. Mike Karickhoff announced why he voted against “right-to-work” legislation. His reason: The community told him to.
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Cheers and jeers - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012
Karickhoff acted ‘cowardly’
The Rev. Robin Wentworth Mayer and Horst G. Mayer of Kokomo send the Jeer for state Rep. Mike Karickhoff’s silence during the “right-to-work” debate:
“Mr. Karickhoff, for someone who’s new to office, you’ve certainly learned the art of talking out of both sides of your mouth.
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Let’s drug test our lawmakers
Perhaps it’s appropriate that a measure passed by the Indiana House this week would ask not only welfare recipients but Indiana lawmakers to consent to a drug test.
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Editorial - Feb. 2, 2012: Peru delivers a message
The issue: Peru’s collection of $20,000 last year from property owners who failed to keep their yards mowed.
Our view: Aggressive enforcement can help a city’s finances, but the benefits go beyond dollars and cents.
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Karickhoff: Reason behind my ‘right-to-work’ vote
There is no doubt the “right-to-work” debate has brought mixed emotions, not only to our state but District 30 as well. There were only a handful of House Republicans who did not vote in support of this legislation. Let me explain why I felt it was necessary for me to vote in opposition to right to work.
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Heinig: ‘Right-to-work’ law to arouse continued resistance
I wouldn’t call Gov. Mitch Daniels a charismatic leader, but he does possess some leadership skills. If he didn’t, he couldn’t have brought us this far along the happy trail to his economic Valhalla.
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White shouldn’t return to office
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