Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

Senate, White House agree on reporter protections

By JIM ABRAMS Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - A Senate sponsor of a bill to protect reporters' sources says he's reached a compromise with the Obama administration on balancing a public right to know with government's concerns about national security.

New York Democrat Charles Schumer says the bill would preserve strong protections for reporters who don't want to reveal confidential sources in federal court and the government's demands that the protection of citizens be given top priority.

The deal allows the government to sidestep the public interest balancing test in the event of classified leak cases where the government can show that disclosure is necessary to prevent or mitigate an act of terror. The Senate Judiciary Committee could take up the media shield bill next week.

2009-10-30     15:33:10 GMT

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