Dear DU progressives: journalist shield laws are a good, not unconstitutional fascism [View all]

[geek tragedy]

You certainly shouldn't take my word for it. Take the word of free press advocates. Like the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press:

About the Reporters Committee

Founded in 1970, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press offers free legal support to thousands of working journalists and media lawyers each year. It is a leader in the fight against persistent efforts by government officials to impede the release of public information, whether by withholding documents or threatening reporters with jail. In addition to its 24/7 Legal Defense Hotline, the Reporters Committee conducts cutting-edge legal research, publishes handbooks and guides on media law issues, files frequent friend-of-the-court legal briefs and offers challenging fellowships and internships for young lawyers and journalists. For more information, go to www.rcfp.org, or follow us on Twitter @rcfp.

Here's what they have to say about the current federal shield law being proposed, (The Free Flowing Information Act):

Reporters Committee statement on shield bill
Press Release | September 12, 2013
Reporters Committee statement on shield bill
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee today passed the Free Flow of Information Act of 2013. Our statement:

We are pleased to see that the Judiciary Committee passed this bill. It goes a long way toward ensuring that reporters will be protected from subpoenas for their confidential information and sources. It's not a perfect bill, but it tries to cover a broad array of reporters. While it is not as inclusive as we would like, it is not nearly as limited in that area as previous attempts at a federal shield law have been.

It still is important that we work with Congress and the administration to make sure journalists' records are not scooped up in broad surveillance programs, and that Justice Department attorneys respect the rights of reporters, but today's action is a significant step in the right direction.

http://www.rcfp.org/reporters-committee-statement-shield-bill

Those who tell you that the federal law is about licensing or controlling or licensing or restricting journalists are either ignorant or liars. It's about making sure that overzealous federal prosecutors can't strong-arm journalists like Holder's DOJ has done to James Risen.