Most states have some version of a shield law for reporters, but the federal government does not. Past efforts to pass such legislation have foundered in part over questions about how to define who is or is not a journalist, and what types of activity should be protected. State shield laws do not have to wrestle with the central issue in federal law about reporters’ sources — how to address investigations involving national security and classified information.

Source: Washington Post June 28, 2021 10:59 UTC