shield law

noun

: a law that protects journalists from forced disclosure of confidential news sources

Examples of shield law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prison officials have not disclosed the reason why Moore needed a second massive dose or whether that is part of their normal procedures, pointing to a 2023 shield law that keeps the providers of lethal injection drugs, the identities of members of execution teams and the procedures used a secret. Landon Mion, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2025 With the passage of a shield law, officials secured a compounding pharmacy willing to provide pentobarbital under conditions of anonymity. Amir Daftari, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025 In the summer of 2023, from July to September, an average of about 5,700 abortions were provided under shield laws each month. Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024 The state legislature then passed a shield law allowing officials to keep lethal injection drug suppliers private. Landon Mion, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shield law

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shield law was in 1971

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Cite this Entry

“Shield law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shield%20law. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Legal Definition

shield law

noun
: a law that prevents or protects against disclosure or revelation of information: as
b
: a law that protects journalists from disclosure of confidential news sources
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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