News sources protected under Wash. bill

Journalists who refuse to reveal confidential sources would have greater protection in a measure the House approved Monday, and Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to sign it.

The bill would protect people who are in the business of gathering news, but not bloggers or university professors who do not make a majority of their living doing so.

It grants reporters absolute privilege for protecting confidential sources _ the same exemption from testifying in court that is granted to spouses, attorneys, clergy and police officers.

Currently, Washington state has no shield law, but its courts have ruled in favor of qualified privilege based on the First Amendment and on common law.

The House agreed to Senate changes in the bill on a 94-1 vote and sent it to Gregoire, whose spokeswoman Holly Armstrong said the governor was expected to sign it.

Attorney General Rob McKenna has lobbied for the bill, saying it promotes open government.

"He believes reporter shield laws protect whistleblowers by guaranteeing confidentiality," his spokeswoman Janelle Guthrie said. "Without this protection, those who fear for their livelihoods would be too discouraged to speak up on matters that are important to the public."