Rehberg, House Vote to Protect Journalists in Federal Courts

Not exactly local news, it's only a resolution and it's not through the Senate yet, but it's exciting for journalists. This particular resolution was writtne to maintain the free flow of information to the public by providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain persons connected with the news media.
Here's a press release from Rep. Rehberg's office about his stance on the resolution:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, joined U.S. House colleagues from both parties this week in supporting legislation to protect reporters from being compelled to reveal confidential news sources in most cases. The Free Flow of Information Act of 2009 (H.R. 985) establishes new federal protections for journalists including specific criteria that federal entities must meet in order to compel a journalist to reveal the source of information obtained in the course of their jobs. Rehberg is a cosponsor of the bill.

“Investigative journalism is the flashlight of accountability that a democracy needs,” said Rehberg a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The freedom of the press is guaranteed in the 1st Amendment to the Constitution and any lingering threat by the judicial branch to compel a journalist to reveal a secret source is not only unconstitutional, it's un-American. I’m proud to work across party lines to help get this important bill passed.”

Although 49 States and the District of Columbia have adopted a judicial privilege for journalists in some form, journalists currently have no privilege in Federal Court. The Free Flow of Information Act establishes strict criteria that must be met for a source to be divulged from a journalist. If a federal entity is unable meet all of the criteria, it cannot compel the journalist to provide testimony or any documents obtained or created by that journalist as part of engaging in journalism.

“This bill will protect journalists in federal cases and federal investigations, which frequently involve important issues, from unnecessarily having to reveal their sources, notes or recordings,” said University of Montana School of Journalism Professor Clem Work. “It will help encourage vigorous reporting, which is a vital function of our democratic society.”