This week, the Minnesota House passed a bill strengthening the state's Shield Law. As it's currently written, the Shield Law protects journalists' confidential sources from subpeona ... But NOT reporters unpublished notes, videotapes and photographs. The bill's supporters say changing the shield law to include protections for unpublished material would allow journalists to work more independently from law enforcement. The bill does include an exemption though, when the reporter is the only one with critical evidence that could not be obtained elsewhere... then it can be supeonaed. Barbara Cochran, President of the Radio-Television News Directors Association--or RTNDA-- says that's a pretty significant loophole. She says tough shield laws are critical to journalists' integrity. | D-CART ITEM: 9753