Yesterday President Obama signed into law legislation that promotes a global free press. The law is named in honor of Daniel Pearl, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was killed in Pakistan in 2002.

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According to the New York Times, "The legislation, called the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act, requires the State Department to expand its scrutiny of news media restrictions and intimidation as part of its annual review of human rights in each country. Among other considerations, the department will be required to determine whether foreign governments participate in or condone violations of press freedom."

I have been thinking a lot about Daniel Pearl these last weeks and was very happy to see this news which came out yesterday. I was reminded of Pearl's ordeal during a recent evening listening to Daniele Mastrogiacomo speak about his kidnapping in Afghanistan. Luckily, Mastrogiacomo made it home. Daniel Pearl did not.

I met Daniel once 14 years ago when I was a reporter for Dow Jones and he for the Wall Street Journal. I remember him vividly and avidly followed his career after that meeting and was shocked and saddened to learn of his brutal death.

His wife and his family have been remarkable about keeping his memory alive and creating a foundation which honors him, his interests and his dreams.  I was very touched and pleased to see that Obama has honored him as well.