Shield law

The Joplin (Mo.) Globe

A federal shield law makes sense as a suitable approach to protecting the public's right to know by protecting a reporter's confidential sources.

Such a statute would give whistle-blowers the cover of anonymity to tell their tales of government wrongdoing, malfeasance or mismanagement without risking retaliation in their jobs or their personal lives.

Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia have shield laws on their books, and a number of other states have -- or are considering -- such statutes.

A federal shield law would provide the cloak so vital to getting sources to talk with reporters about issues or incidents involving government abuse or fumbling. Americans have a right to know how well -- or how poorly -- their government is functioning, and that too often can come only from confidential sources willing to speak up only if they are guaranteed confidentiality.

Missouri is one of the states without a shield law. That should be changed in the next legislative session. Meanwhile, Congress should provide a protection for reporters and their sources.