Congressman Gregory Meeks on the Passage of the Federal Media Shield Law

(WASHINGTON, DC)–Congressman Gregory Meeks applauds the House passage of H.R. 985, the Free Flow of Information Act of 2009, which provides a federal media shield that will provide protection to journalists in regard to their sources and information while recognizing the need for effective law enforcement and to protect our national security.

This bill is identical to the media shield bill that that was passed in the House of Representative during the 110th Congress, but did not pass in the Senate.

“I am pleased to have supported this legislation that will protect and strengthen the freedom of the press under the First Amendment that is one of the underlining principles of our democracy in the United States. This bill provides a balance between liberty and security that allows journalists to keep their sources confidential in most circumstances, but still has appropriate national security safeguards. My colleagues and I in the House of Representatives will do everything in our power to work with the Senate to ensure that this bill passes in both sides of Congress,” stated Congressman Gregory Meeks.

The Free Flow of Information Act mandates federal court oversight of subpoenas that would force journalists to reveal information gleaned from confidential sources.

Now serving in his sixth full-term, Meeks was elected to the House on February 3, 1998. Representing New York's Sixth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, Meeks' district covers all towns of Southeast Queens, Far Rockaway and Howard Beach. He is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Congressman Meeks is the Chairman of the International Monetary Policy & Trade Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. He is a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), New Democrats Caucus and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). He serves as the Co-chair of the Malaysia Caucus, Services Caucus, Dialogue Caucus and the Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus.