U.S. Senator Ken Salazar Member: Finance, Agriculture, Energy, Ethics and Aging Committees 2300 15^th Street, Suite 450 Denver, CO 80202 | 702 Hart Senate Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
For Immediate Release Wednesday, July 30, 2008		CONTACT:Michael Amodeo – 303-249-5286 Matt Lee-Ashley – 202-228-5905
Sen. Salazar Votes To Defend Freedom of the Press Bill Blocked In Procedural Vote WASHINGTON, DC - Today, United States Senator Ken Salazar voted to move ahead toward passage of S.2035, the Free Flow of Information Act of 2007, also known as the “Media Shield” law, which would protect journalists from being compelled to disclose their confidential sources unless a federal court determines in specific cases, such as preventing an act of terrorism or protecting national security, that it is in the public interest to do so. The bill has broad, bipartisan support, but failed to receive the 60 votes required to proceed toward passage, with 51 Senators voting in favor and 43 opposed. “A free and independent press is essential to protecting the public’s right to know about the affairs of their government and other matters of public interest, and, therefore, to sustaining our democracy,” said Senator Salazar. “Without a uniform and clear media shield law to protect reporters and their confidential sources, the free flow of information will be hampered, and the public will suffer as a consequence. As a co-sponsor of S.2035, I am disappointed the U.S. Senate was unable to muster the votes needed to proceed toward passage of this important legislation.” ###