Valerie Plame

[strandinthewind]

Also Monday, the Supreme Court rejected appeals from two journalists who have refused to testify before a grand jury about the leak of an undercover CIA officer's identity.

The cases asked the court to revisit an issue that it last dealt with more than 30 years ago -- whether reporters can be jailed or fined for refusing to identify their sources.

The justices' intervention had been sought by 34 states and many news groups, all arguing that confidentiality is important in news gathering.

"Important information will be lost to the public if journalists cannot reliably promise anonymity to sources," news organizations including The Associated Press told justices in court papers.

Time magazine's Matthew Cooper and The New York Times' Judith Miller, who filed the appeals, face up to 18 months in jail for refusing to reveal sources as part of an investigation into who divulged the name of CIA officer Valerie Plame.
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This case may go somewhere now - it is going to be interesting if it does.

[irishgrl]

What do you mean Jason? If the Supreme Court rejected the appeal, doesnt the ruling of the Appellate Court stand? Personally, I agree with the Journalists, without the guarantee of anonymity, there would be no sources for information in many cases. My Grandmother was a reporter for the Oakland Tribune (the first woman reporter!) and she was ADAMANT about the reporter's right to protect their sources....

by the way, here is a great site for people interested in Journalism and First Amendment rights....(note: they havent updated to reflect the current Supreme Court decision, but there is good stuff on there regarding the topic) by the way, I ordered a copy of the journalist's handbook it is an amazingly informative tool. I also took a class in journalism law and have another journalist's pocket reference book as well.....

[strandinthewind]

I must be mistaken - I thought this ruling meant the two reporters will either have to reveal their sources or go to jail for contempt. They most certainly will not choose jail.

[macfanken]

Something I don't understand... why are these two journalists in trouble and not Robert Novak?

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I must be mistaken - I thought this ruling meant the two reporters will either have to reveal their sources or go to jail for contempt. They most certainly will not choose jail.

Wasnt that the Appellate Court ruling? against the reporters?

personally, I bet they DO go to jail, reporters are RABID about NOT reporting sources. The first one who does might as well get a rope because no one will talk to him/her after that, and no other reporter will respect them. I predict they will go to jail and maintain their professional code of ethics. Plus, they will become martyrs of sorts for NOT talking...

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Also Monday, the Supreme Court rejected appeals from two journalists who have refused to testify before a grand jury about the leak of an undercover CIA officer's identity.

The cases asked the court to revisit an issue that it last dealt with more than 30 years ago -- whether reporters can be jailed or fined for refusing to identify their sources.

The justices' intervention had been sought by 34 states and many news groups, all arguing that confidentiality is important in news gathering.

"Important information will be lost to the public if journalists cannot reliably promise anonymity to sources," news organizations including The Associated Press told justices in court papers.

Time magazine's Matthew Cooper and The New York Times' Judith Miller, who filed the appeals, face up to 18 months in jail for refusing to reveal sources as part of an investigation into who divulged the name of CIA officer Valerie Plame.
_________________________________________________________

This case may go somewhere now - it is going to be interesting if it does.

What a ****ty way to have to bring down the Bush administration.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by macfanken

Something I don't understand... why are these two journalists in trouble and not Robert Novak?

I'm betting he sang.