Submitted by mauro on May 26, 2009 - 9:53am.
Story By Gene Policinski
First Amendment Center vice president/executive director
05.17.09
The debate continues over whether or not a federal “shield law” for journalists
is proper or is even needed — in the Congress, in the courts and even among news
professionals themselves.
A recent federal magistrate’s ruling in Chicago, however, does raise issues that
seem avoidable only if such a law, more accurately termed “reporter privilege,”
was in place to cause courts to at least pause and consider the effects of
subpoenas on the newsgathering process.
The ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys, in the Northern District of
Illinois, states plainly how most observers see the current situation: There is
now no legal shield or privilege in federal courts for journalists wishing to
protect their sources, notes or unpublished material from subpoenas.
The ruling comes in a lawsuit brought by war protester Andy Thayer against the
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