reporters closer to shield; bloggers still brandishing dagger

By a 41-7 vote, the Senate passed a measure providing reporters--employees of news-gathering organizations, mostly--with specific confidentiality protection.

The bill would grant reporters absolute privilege for protecting confidential sources the same exemption from testifying in court that is granted to spouses, attorneys, clergy and police officers.

Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle, the bill's main sponsor, said it was necessary to give the public "greater opportunity to know what's going on in this world, because somebody out there who may have some very sensitive information is now going to be more willing to come forward with it."

It'll get mashed into a form acceptable to the House, and then land on Gregoire's desk for a likely signature.

If the House version prevails, bloggers may have some protection. If the Senate version prevails, we'll be left out in the cold of the chilling effect.