By: Rick Blangiardi
In 2008, the Hawaii state legislature approved one
of the most progressive laws in the nation protecting confidential sources who
give information to both traditional and non-traditional journalists.
This so-called "shield law" protects
journalists, while newsgathering, from being forced to reveal the identity of
these sources or unpublished information.
The current statute is not a blanket policy for
journalists to do whatever they want.
For instance, it does not apply in felony criminal
cases or civil defamation cases if the information can be obtained in any other
way.
The information must be necessary and relevant as
well.
The sunset on the shield law occurs on June 30 of
this year and there are forces at work that would like to see it die or to make
substantial amendments as to render it useless.
As the head of a major media organization in town, I
believe it is essential for this law to remain on the books unchanged.
In five years, there have been no negative
repercussions and only positive resolution.
We urge lawmakers to move affirmatively on house
bill 622 and for the senate to move it through to the governor. Let's protect
those who would seek to give voice to injustice in Hawaii.
Copyright
2013 Hawaii News Now.
All rights reserved
