Idaho's Lawrence Wasden - a proven advocate for open government - has joined 40 other state attorneys general to stand up for working journalists. On Monday, they wrote a letter to key senators, urging them to get moving on a federal "shield law" to allow reporters to protect the anonymity of unnamed sources. The attorneys general are right. Shield laws "advance a public policy favoring the free flow of information to the public." Idaho and 48 other states already have such laws, but a federal law is needed, as well/Idaho Statesman. More here.

*Another way health care mess abuses all/Jim Fisher, Lewiston Tribune
*Cartoon: What's the difference?/David Horsey, PI
*Local newspapers tie into community/Vicki Rishling, Moscow-Pullman Daily News
*Watchdog applicants: Leave teeth at door/Doug Clark, SR

Question: How important are "shield laws" in an era when newspapers are going the way of the dinosaur?

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