Shield me!

Send lawyers, guns and money.

The House has just passed the Free Flow of Information Act, also known as the federal shield law. The bill passed by a vote of 398-21, a margin that would easily override the veto which the White House has promised (pdf). The bill provides journalists with a qualified privilege as to sources and information, while at the same time, recognizing the need for effective law enforcement and robust national security. A blogger who regularly engages in journalistic activities – such as gathering and publishing news and information for dissemination to the public – and does so for a substantial portion of the person’s livelihood or for substantial financial gain would be covered by the shield as a journalist.

Big whoop, a shield for what? A dozen or so pure political bloggers (as opposed to professional journos with a blog) raking in a living?

Kos is right. The Senate needs to fix this to make it meaningful.

In the meantime, shield me here.