Bill Proposed to Extend N.Y. Shield Law to Bloggers

Posted Friday, August 15, 2008 12:00 am

By: E&P Staff Bloggers deserve the protection of New York's journalist shield law, state Sen. Thomas Duane says.

Duane, a Manhattan Democrat, has proposed legislation that would protect bloggers from contempt-of-court charges for refusing to disclose confidential information or sources. He said he was alarmed by a Bronx grand jury subpoena issued earlier this year to the "Room 8" blog in an attempt to identify its anonymous posters. The subpoena, which was later withdrawn, threatened the bloggers with jail time if they revealed its existence.

Such charges have a chilling effect on free speech, Duane said.

New York's shield law now protects professional reporters for newspapers, magazines, news services, radio and television.

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Bill Proposed to Extend N.Y. Shield Law to Bloggers

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