In response to the editorial by Patrick Lowry in the Oct. 2 issue of The Hays Daily News on Page A6 regarding the enactment of a so-called "Shield Law" protecting a journalist-reporter from prosecution in protecting the identity of unnamed news sources, I would like to make the following observations.

In Amendment 4 of the "Bill of Rights," it says no arrest warrants or search warrants shall be issued without probable cause.

In Amendment 5, it says no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

A defendant is presumed to be innocent until a court trial by a jury of his peers, using the criteria of beyond a reasonable doubt, may find him guilty.

In Amendment 6, it says: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to face the accusers against him, guaranteeing the right to confront witnesses, so as to establish their validity, or bias, subject to cross-examination. Any second-hand or indirect information is regarded as hearsay evidence and not admitted into court testimony.

Amendment 6 also could be used in rape, child abuse, juvenile and other cases.

Nowhere in Amendment 1, the freedom of speech and freedom of the press amendment, does it absolve the accuser of the rights of the accused in Amendments 4, 5 or 6.

The right to know and face the anonymous sources of those charges is inviolable.

Anyone who defies a court order such as a summons or subpoena stands in direct contempt of court and can be imprisoned at the discretion of the presiding judge.

In speaking of anonymous sources, most newspapers will not print letters to the editor that are not signed and a return address given.

Gail McComb

Stockton