The Honolulu Community Media Council will present a journalism forum next week on whether Hawai'i needs a federal shield law to protect sources.

Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia have shield laws that give reporters varying degrees of protection from having to reveal the identities of sources or turn over notes or other material.

The Hawai'i Supreme Court has ruled that reporters have no federal First Amendment or state right to not disclose confidential sources to state courts. But some legal experts believe reporters have a qualified privilege unless the disclosure is so important it outweighs protecting confidentiality in news gathering.

The forum, set for noon Monday at the Ala Moana Hotel, will feature Honolulu Advertiser reporter Jim Dooley, blogger Ian Lind and constitutional law expert professor Jon Van Dyke as panelists.

Tickets are $30 ($25 for Honolulu Community Media Council members). RSVP by e-mail to bkoz1@aol.com or call 222-3035. Send your check to: HCMC, P.O. Box 22415, Honolulu, HI 96823.