ELOYD A. BARBEE Capitol Office Address: Room 131 South Madison, Wisconsin 53702 Telephone: 608-266-3097 Milwaukee Office Address: 110 East Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 Telephone: 414-273-5755 WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER MADISON 53702 REPRESENTATIVE Milwaukee County 6th District CHAIRMAN: Enrolled Bills MEMBER: Jt. Committee on Finance Board on Government Operations IMMEDIATE RELEASE COMMENT January 19, 1973 We've finally begun consideration on some important proposals this legislative session that will help to insure the rights of many Wisconsin citizens. The Committee on Judiciary will be reviewing four such proposals in its committee hearings on Tuesday, January 23. The proposed bills would establish the state's first shield law for newsmen. Three bills which are competing for the shield law would grant newsmen full privileges for protecting their information and sources from disclosure to any government body or person. The law would make no exceptions to the rule, which has been the problem with most shield laws in other states. As chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, I am in total support of the proposal without any reservations. My support for the bill is not only for civil libertarian reasons, but also because most newspapers are lacking in good investigatory reporting. One of the reasons for the lack has been the pressures on news staffs as a result of the recent jailings of newsmen for refusing to disclose their sources. Not only has the White House been managing the news through spoon-feeding, manipulating and intimidation of the news media, but courts and other branches of government have also pressured the press. One of the methods that have been used and abused is the (cont'd) --- - 2 - grand jury proceedings and the threat of contempt charges for those who refuse to reveal their information and news sources. I am ever mindful of the bad publicity which certain Black groups have received, especially the Black Panther Party, not to mention the unjust accusations which the Milwaukee establishment press has directed toward this excellent organization and leaders in its past issues. Hopefully, the shield law proposals will change the situation, giving newsmen the freedom to report in an investigatory manner without the fear of reprisal. In this respect, perhaps, we'll have newspapers which would use means at hand for countering unjust criticisms by the private and governmental power structure against persons and groups who work for just changes. The other bill to be discussed in the Tuesday hearings would eliminate and prohibit distinctions in the Wisconsin statutes between persons based on sex. The proposals would also make statute changes which would extend more rights and privileges to women. As a beginning for providing the rights to all individuals, this bill is a needed piece of legislation. Nevertheless, we must strive for much more. No concerted effort has been made yet to erase racism The changes to from the wording and implications of Wisconsin statutes. eliminate distinctions of race, sex and sexual preferences are long overdue. Let us work to effect such changes vigorously and expeditiously. - 30 - ---