Justice Department Outlines Administration Views and Announces Web Site on Media Shield Legislation

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Justice Department today released additional information regarding the Administration's concerns with the proposed media shield legislation, S.2035, the "Free Flow of Information Act." The Department also launched a new Web page, http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/media-shield.htm, that will serve as the central location for information from the Justice Department and other federal agencies on media shield proposals.

The views were contained in a joint letter from Attorney General Michael Mukasey and Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell, and additional letters from Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. The letters were sent to Senate leadership and the chairs and ranking members of the respective oversight committees for the departments.

The new Web page includes copies of Justice Department letters to Congress, Justice Department testimony before Congress, and other publicly released materials related to media shield legislative proposals. Letters, statements and speeches from other officials in the Administration -- including a letter signed by every agency head within the Intelligence Community -- about the legislation are also posted on the site.

The Web site can be accessed at the following URL address: http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/media-shield.htm, and is linked through the Justice Department's home page located at:
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice

CONTACT: U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs,
+1-202-514-2007

Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/

2008-04-03 18:26:38 0328065 PRNEWSWIRE