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Posted: Friday, February 15th, 2013 9:30 AM HST

Hawai`i House passes watered-down shield law

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — The State House of Representatives has passed a new shield law that offers fewer protections to journalists in Hawai`i. Hawai`i's current shield law protects journalists from disclosing their sources or unpublished notes with few exceptions. One exception is when there is strong evidence the information is necessary to investigate or try felony or defamation cases. The proposal that passed the House Thursday expands the exceptions to potential felonies, serious violent crimes or any civil case. Representative Gene Ward says the bill was originally written to simply extend the shield law and the amendments strip important protections for journalists. The state Senate will consider the bill next. The law already in place has been supported by media organizations in previous sessions, including the Society of Professional Journalists and The Associated Press.