The nation is overdue for a law that, in various forms, is in 49 of 50 states, including Indiana. This federal legislation has been debated for more than three years."While we focus on democracy abroad, we cannot let those freedoms erode at home. The Constitution states that freedom of the press shall not be infringed. A cornerstone of our society is the open market for information that the media share with the public. If the media are hampered from gathering the facts in the first place, they risk becoming little more than conduits for government press releases."

Pence and Lugar wrote the above in The Washington Post in April 2005. We’re proud to have two Hoosiers spearheading this important legislation.Let us hope the Senate votes soon to pass the law. It’s certain to face a veto, but the broad bipartisan support should ensure that the country gets a law that will help journalists and whistleblowers disseminate information without fear of reprisal