Wisconsin became the 39th state to enact a shield law that protects reporters from having to reveal thier sources in most cases.

Associated Press reports that Gov. Jim Doyle signed the proposal into law Tuesday.

“Supporters representing media and freedom of information groups have said the measure is intended to protect the public's right to learn of official misdoing,”AP stated. “Under the new law, judges could order reporters to testify, produce information or reveal a source's identity only when it is 'highly relevant' to the case or critical to at least one party's argument. Attorneys would have to show they couldn't get the information any other way and there was an overriding public interest in disclosing it.”

Now all we need is for Congress to enact a federal shield law. Stay tuned for that one.