The West Virginia University Society of Professional Journalists Student Chapter is launching a national petition drive for a federal shield law.

The drive will begin Tuesday, Nov. 8, when members will send copies of the petition to every SPJ student and professional chapter in the country. SPJ is encouraging chapters throughout the nation to collect as many signatures as possible and to send the petitions to their congressional leaders in Washington.

A national federal shield law would allow journalists to protect confidential sources without fear of being jailed if they refuse to give up the names of those sources. The chapter developed this project in response to judges continuing to jail reporters for not disclosing their sources.

By collecting as many signatures as possible for this national petition, we hope to protect journalistic freedoms and allow sources to come forward with confidential information without fear of being exposed,said WVU SPJ President Ryan Posey, a junior broadcast student.These arrests are a direct threat to our democracy as a whole and journalism as a career.

SPJ adviser Bonnie Stewart said the need for a federal shield law goes beyond journalism.

This law affects not only journalists, but citizens who could be potential sources. Citizens sometimes give information dealing with corruption, and a loss of anonymity could put their lives or jobs in danger,she said.

Several bills are currently before Congress to pass a federal shield law. The local SPJ chapter hopes to be at the forefront of ensuring these bills become law.

For more information, please contact Bonnie Stewart at bonnie.stewart@mail.wvu.edu , or 304-293-3505, ext. 5417.