In response to the string of recent court cases in which journalists have been compelled to reveal their sources — including the Valerie Plame affair and the Jim Taricani case in Rhode Island — Senator Christopher Dodd yesterday introduced a bill which would create a federal shield law for journalists.

Unsurprisingly, the American media is lining up to support Dodd’ “Free Speech Protection Act of 2004”, but Sen. Dodd has already acknowledged that it will be “hard to pass”.

Thirty-one American states already have shield laws, but all the recent high-profile cases have all been federal cases, and there is no federal law to protect journalists from being forced to testify about their sources.