Media contact:
Kirsten Kendrick
President, Board of Western Washington Professional Chapter of SPJ
206-235-0750, kirsten_kendrick@hotmail.com

Protecting Reporters and their Confidential Sources:

Western Washington Board of Society of Professional Journalists' Statement on 2007 Shield Law Legislation

SEATTLE - Jan. 26, 2007 - The 11-member board of the Western Washington Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) issued the following statement regarding current legislation calling for a reporter shield law:

"Last year, the board thoroughly examined the initial draft of the shield law and found it lacking. During the course of the 2006 legislative session, the board vigorously participated in the debate over the legislation. We believe our participation helped bring about the improvements we see in the shield law proposed this year.

"The board of the Western Washington Pro Chapter of SPJ believes that protecting reporters and their confidential sources is crucial to protecting our democracy. Although we would have liked even stronger protection for reporter work product (notes, outtakes, unpublished photographs) and the idea of the government defining the news media gives us pause, providing absolute protection for confidential sources is a worthy goal and one that SPJ fully supports."

The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. Founded in 1909, SPJ promotes the free flow of information to a well-informed public, protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press, and works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists.

For more information on the Western Washington Professional Chapter of SPJ, go to www.spjwash.org.