Wisconsin is one of 14 states that does not have any "shield law" to protect journalists and their confidential sources. A new bill in the state’s legislature could change that. Last Saturday, the Wisconsin State Journal published an editorial endorsing the bill.
The editorial endorses the Whistleblower Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Joe Parisi, D-Madison, and Sen. Pat Kreitlow, D-Chippewa Falls. It would guarantee whistleblowers that journalists could not be compelled to reveal their identities or turn over the information if the case went to court. The Journal recognizes that this policy would benefit not only whistleblowers who would feel safer about coming forward, but also the public at large who would be more likely to discover misconduct.
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