PenceBlog: Pence says freedom of the press "vital to limiting the power of government" - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence : 6th District Of Indiana

Friday night Rep. Pence delivered the keynote address at the 2006 Freedom of Information Summit. According to an article by Rick Yencer of The Muncie Star Press, the event had over "200 journalists, citizens, government officials and educators" in attendance. Here is an excerpt from Yencer's article:

"Republican Congressman Mike Pence was the keynote speaker, recognized for sponsoring the Free Flow of Information Act , which would create a national shield law to protect journalists from having to reveal confidential sources in court.
"'This is not about protecting reporters,' Pence said. 'It is about protecting the public's right to know.'
"While the bill has not received a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee, Pence anticipated a hearing this summer, along with action on a similar measure sponsored by U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., in the Senate.
"'If the public does not demand the free flow of information, there will be no more Deep Throats,' said Pence, referring to the Washington Post source that in its Watergate coverage, which led in part to the 1974 resignation of President Richard Nixon."

Here is an excerpt from a Saturday article in The Republic which discusses Rep. Pence's Friday night address:

"An Indiana congressman pushing a bill that would protect reporters who refuse to identify their sources told public access advocates Friday night that freedom of the press is 'under siege.'
"Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., said he believed that freedom of the press was vital to limiting the power of government. Pence pointed to cases such as that of former New York Times reporter Judith Miller, who was jailed for 85 days last year when she refused to tell federal prosecutors her source who leaked the name of CIA agent Valerie Plame. "

Here is another excerpt from an article in The Fort Wayne News Sentinel that describes Rep. Pence's speech:

"Pence said he had often been asked why a conservative Republican was sponsoring a press shield law.
"'This isn't about protecting reporters,' said Pence, an attorney and former radio talk show host.
"'It is about protecting the public's right to know.'"

posted by Pence Press Office # 12:34 PM