Front Page

Column One

• CJOG's 5 Ws
• Our Members
• Our Principles
• Position Papers & Petitions
• CJOG Updates

Opening the Government

Tools for FOI Work

• Useful Web Sites
• Help By Topic
• Experts
• Reports, Resources
• Finding Federal Documents

FYI on FOI

• Backgrounders
• Pending Legislation
• Speaking Out
• Commentary
• Story Board
• How You Can Help Open Government

Update 10/10/07

---

Update 10/10/07    Reporter-Source Shield Bill Set for House Vote A week ago, minutes after the Senate Judiciary Committee had approved a reporter-source shield bill by a 15-2 vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised the Associated Press Managing Editors, meeting in Washington, that the House would vote on a media shield bill soon.   That vote is coming even sooner than anyone expected. HR 2102, the Free Flow of Information Act, is being scheduled for a floor vote next Tuesday.   Proposed amendments must be filed by Friday and the Rules Committee will consider these Monday. There will also be a manager’s amendment designed to fold in a couple provisions added to the Senate bill last week. These include slightly narrowing the definition of a journalist, providing that journalists who witness a crime must testify, and clarifying the language on compelled disclosure in national security cases.  The House bill still provides broader protections than the amended Senate version.      I’m attaching some materials put together by the media coalition that has been supporting the bill.   Please feel free to circulate this and the attachments to your members.   As always, news articles and commentary on the bill will be helpful.   * * * *   Cameras in Court Get a House Committee The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on The Sunshine in the Courtroom Act, which would allow the use of still and video cameras in all federal district and appellate courts.   Testimony included that of Republican Rep. Ted Poe, one of the bill's sponsors, who recounted his experience with courtroom cameras as a judge in Texas. Several committee members, rather than questioning witnesses, offered their comments in support of the bill, as well.   You can link to the testimony of the several witnesses, including RTNDA’s Barbara Cochran, from the CJOG website.   FOIA Reform The House Government Reform Committee leadership is reviewing the bill sent over by the Senate. There are several differences between the separate. It’s not clear yet whether these can be resolved with the bills going to conference.   Pete Weitzel