#5 Reporter's Privilege

 

Reporter's Privilege refers to the protections that defend journalists from being compelled in order to reveal confidential sources of information utilized for their reporting. Most states have legislation referred to as shield laws that ensure these protections for journalists, while Wyoming alone lacks legislative and judicial precedent that would protect journalists in these instances. Although Wyoming does indeed lack legislative precedent regarding this matter, that may soon change as "Wyoming Lawmakers advanced a bill on Wed. Jan. 25 aimed at protecting journalists who protect their sources."

At present, journalists who defend their private sources, are at risk of going to prison for contempt of court in order for the court to attempt to compel these individuals to reveal the desired information.

The potential bill is "House Bill 91," and would allow for journalists to genuinely protect their sources without the risk of jail time, as long as there is no immediate risk of death or severe bodily harm.

This bill would serve Wyoming's journalists wonderfully, providing this incredibly important resource to upholding journalistic integrity. The fact that Wyoming failed to implement protections such as these, threaten the nature of reporting on especially corrupt scenarios that can lead to significant trouble if the sources that worked with the journalists were ever revealed. This is even worse when considering that almost every other state already has significant protections for journalists, highlighting the issue of Wyoming's failure thus far to pass a bill that so many other states have passed

Brian Martin, the editor for the Wyoming Eagle Tribune, favorably testified for the bill during a House meeting. He discussed the importance of anonymous sources in instances of wrongdoing carried out by businesses or the government, although utilizing anonymous sources is relatively rare.

"Some of these individuals are willing to risk their jobs, their ability to support their families and their careers in order to expose injustice or corruption," Martin stated. "Others couldn't afford to take that risk. So they asked for a promise for me and a reporter to keep their identity a secret."

While Martin detailed his confidence when assuring confidentiality to his sources in instances from his past, he went on to describe how he lacked that confidence now.

"However, I no longer feel like I can guarantee that that would be the case," he said. "More and more often, reporters are being subpoenaed and asked to reveal their sources, as well as to turn over their notes from interviews with these types of sources. And yes, it doesn't happen all the time in Wyoming, but it has happened here in the past."

This testimony is well stated and describes the issue at hand eloquently while depicting the necessity of the bill to maintain journalistic integrity throughout the state of Wyoming.

For more information regarding the ongoing issue of House Bill 91, refer to Wyoming Public Media.org for more details surrounding the potential legislation.