Media Shield Bill Seeks Balance.

The author discusses the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee's approval of a legislative bill sponsored by Senator Charles E. Schumer, which would grant protection to journalists against government intrusion in the newsgathering process. One of the amendments approved by the committee is the definition of the term "journalist" that determine who would be protected by the legislation. The bill's potential perils for Internet bloggers, freelance writers, and citizen journalists are also explored.