Travaglini Proposes Protection for Journalists . . . Even (Gasp!) Us

These days, Bostonist has noticed much talking-head time devoted to journalists' right to keep their sources confidential (if, in fact, such a right exists). Apparently, Senate President Robert Travaglini has also noticed, as he proposed a bill yesterday that would provide solid legal protection to journalists (as opposed to the less-than-certain First Amendment protection they've had to rely on up until now). Being pseudo-journalists ourselves, Bostonist tends to think this proposal is a good idea - maybe now we can actually acquire some inside sources (Mitt Romney's hairdresser, we mean you!), so we can dish more actual dirt and spend less time engaged in idle speculation about and snide mockery of our elected leaders.

At present, 30 states have enacted journalist shield laws, but the definitions of who is covered vary. In Alaska, for example, the law covers only people who report through a "news organization." In Arizona, by contrast, anyone "engaged in gathering, reporting, writing, editing, publishing or broadcasting news to the public" gets protection. Naturally, fine distinctions like this are important to Bostonist, since we are unpaid, unskilled, and mostly immobile. According to the Representative who wrote the pending federal shield law, some bloggers would be protected under that legislation, provided they actually gather news, but another sponsor of the law says "probably not." Bostonist has reviewed the text of Travaglini's proposal and it looks as though bloggers here in the Commonwealth are in the clear: It purposrts to cover everyone who "engages in the gathering of news or information and has the intent, at the beginning of the process of gathering news or information, to disseminate the news or information to the public." ("News and information," by the way, would include not just "local, national or worldwide events," but also Bostonist's specialty: "other matters.") That said, we cordially invite all reliable insiders with juicy information burning a hole in their pockets to contact us at any time. Provided all goes well in the state legislature, our lips will be sealed.

Thanks to Bob Ambrogi for providing us with a copy of the proposed bill.