A breaking news alert from Politico:
The White House has asked Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to reintroduce a press shield law, White House officials said Wednesday.The move comes after questions were raised about the seizure of Associated Press phone records by the Justice Department as part of a national security leak investigation.
Shield laws protect journalists from being forced to reveal sources. The version that passed the Judiciary Committee in 2009 included exemptions for national security.
Schumer praised the new push.
"This kind of law would balance national security needs against the public's right to the free flow of information," Schumer said. "At minimum, our bill would have ensured a fairer, more deliberate process in this case."
So, essentially the White House is lobbying for a "press shield" bill to protect the press from... the White House? Awesome.
