[JURIST] New York Times reporter Judith Miller [JURIST news archive], recently released from an 85-day prison term for contempt after refusing to testify about her sources to a grand jury investigating the Valerie Plame [JURIST news archive] leak, announced Tuesday that she would press for federal shield legislation. Speaking at a conference of the Society of Professional Journalists [profession website], Miller defended her decision to go to jail, arguing that that protecting sources is integral to effective journalism and the healthy operation of government. Miller plans to testify [official announcement] to this effect Wednesday before the US Senate Judiciary Committee. Sen. Richard Lugar [official website] has already introduced a Free Flow of Information Act, intended to clarify the law on the conditions under which individuals connected with the news media must disclose information provided to them by public officials. The Washington Post has more.