The author of an editorial published in the Austin American Statesman declares that the "Whistle-blower protection bill should be law in Texas.” This author does not believe that it is imperative that journalists be used as “an investigative arm of law enforcement.” The author maps out the recent progress of the Free Flow of Information Act, a bill that is in favor of allowing Texas journalists to protect their sources. In addition, the author also provides specific circumstances in which a journalist would not be dismissed from testifying even under the protection bill.
It is inevitable that the author of this editorial, clearly a journalist, would support the Free Flow of Information Act. Yet the author does not establish his or her credibility in greater depth than by simply being a journalist. However, he or she did present their opinion effectively and thoroughly. It is clear that the authors intended audience is fellow writers and perhaps the general public because if this bill is passed it is possible that more Texans would feel at ease approaching a reporter with information.
The editorial may have been more influential to readers if the author had gone into greater detail when explaining why the protection law is so important, and how it affects the common citizen. The author was rather vague in such areas and provided few examples; none of which seemed of great importance to individuals outside the journalism realm.
Overall it is a well-developed editorial that informs readers of the Free Flow of Information Act in the state of Texas. It is an intriguing read because it outlines the amount of protection the law would provide. I simply wish the author had built his or her editorial more on independent thinking rather than on a list of concrete information.
