Graham upholds reporters' rights

Sen. Lindsey Graham has come down on the side of the people with his support for a bill that would protect the confidential sources of news reporters.

Graham is supporting the bill filed by Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. A similar measure in the U.S. House is co-sponsored by Rep. John Spratt, R-S.C.

"It's important that the media can scrutinize the government and in a reasonable fashion protect those who may be in the cross hairs of the powerful," Graham said.

Currently there are 16 reporters and 14 news organizations across the country in legal fights over releasing the names of confidential sources.

Reporters for two centuries in this country have relied on sources, often with the promise of confidentiality, to root out corruption in government. If reporters are required on a routine basis to give up the names of sources, it will not be long before those sources will refuse to provide the information so vital when people in government use their positions to line their own pockets.

Sen. Graham and Rep. Spratt are to be commended for recognizing that the survival of our republic is in large part due to the free flow of information through our news media. And the confidentiality of sources plays a significant role in obtaining information essential to an open government.

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