Justice Dept. Opposes Shield for Reporters

Bill on Sources Called 'Bad Public Policy'

By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 20, 2005; Page A03

The Justice Department is opposing a bipartisan effort on Capitol Hill to protect journalists from having to reveal confidential sources, calling the legislation "bad public policy" that would impair the administration's ability "to effectively enforce the law and fight terrorism."

In testimony prepared for a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this morning, Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey Jr. says "imposing inflexible, mandatory standards" would hurt the department on prosecutions involving public health, safety and national security.