shield law: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Legal, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “shield law” mean?
A law that grants journalists and other news gatherers a legal privilege to protect the confidentiality of their sources from disclosure in court or to other authorities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A law that grants journalists and other news gatherers a legal privilege to protect the confidentiality of their sources from disclosure in court or to other authorities.
A statute or legal doctrine designed to protect freedom of the press by allowing reporters to keep their sources and unpublished information confidential, thus enabling investigative journalism. In rare contexts, may also refer to laws protecting specific groups, like victims of crime, from certain legal processes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is predominantly American. The UK has no general federal 'shield law' but relies on common law principles, the Contempt of Court Act, and a patchwork of protections. The term is used in UK legal discourse but usually in reference to US law or in academic comparison.
Connotations
In the US, it's a concrete, debated legislative tool. In the UK, discussion often centres on the lack of a statutory equivalent and reliance on judicial discretion.
Frequency
High frequency in US legal/journalistic contexts; low frequency in general UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “shield law” in a Sentence
{Subject (state/congress)} enacted a shield law.The reporter invoked {Object (the shield law)}.The shield law protects {Beneficiary (journalists)} from {Action (disclosing sources)}.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shield law” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tribunal will decide if the journalist can be shielded from revealing her source.
- Common law may shield a reporter in some circumstances.
American English
- The new statute would shield reporters from contempt charges.
- He was effectively shielded by the state's press protection law.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. The term is not used adverbially.
American English
- Not applicable. The term is not used adverbially.
adjective
British English
- The shield-law protections are less robust here.
- A shield-law debate is ongoing in Parliament.
American English
- The shield-law provision was key to the defense.
- They are seeking a shield-law amendment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in media conglomerates discussing legal risks.
Academic
Common in law, journalism, media studies, and political science papers.
Everyday
Very rare; appears only in news reports about high-profile court cases involving journalists.
Technical
Core term in media law and First Amendment jurisprudence.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shield law”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shield law”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shield law”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'The law shields the journalist' is correct, but 'They shield lawed the case' is not).
- Confusing it with 'sunshine laws' (which promote transparency, the opposite of confidentiality).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, most shield laws are not absolute. They often include exceptions for situations involving national security, imminent physical harm, or defamation cases where the source's identity is central.
This varies by jurisdiction and the specific law's wording. Many modern debates centre on whether 'journalist' includes bloggers, citizen journalists, or non-traditional media. Some laws define it broadly, others narrowly.
The primary argument is that they can obstruct justice by withholding evidence (source information) that may be crucial for a fair trial or a criminal investigation.
Not in the US sense. The UK offers limited protection through the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and human rights law, but it is a patchwork of common law and statutory provisions, not a single, comprehensive 'shield law.'
A law that grants journalists and other news gatherers a legal privilege to protect the confidentiality of their sources from disclosure in court or to other authorities.
Shield law is usually formal, legal, journalistic in register.
Shield law: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃiːld lɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃild ˌlɔ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The shield law is their first line of defence.”
- “Hiding behind the shield law.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a journalist holding a literal shield with 'Law' written on it, blocking subpoenas that demand they reveal their source's name.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW IS A SHIELD / PROTECTION.
Practice
Quiz
In which country is 'shield law' a most common and specific statutory term?