Romenesko

New Republic
A federal shield law probably wouldn't protect reporters from an overzealous president and determined prosecutors, says Jeffrey Rosen. "The relative freedom enjoyed by the press since the Watergate era to publish national security information passed along by whistleblowers has reflected prosecutorial restraint more than reliable constitutional protections," he writes. "As long as the White House and Justice Department classify as much information as possible and investigate every leak as vigorously as possible, the sight of journalists marched into jail may become alarmingly common."