New York Times reporter ordered to testify but may protect sources

A federal judge ordered New York Times reporter James Risen to testify in the trial of former CIA agent Jeffrey Sterling but may protect the identities of his sources. Risen had published a book about the CIA botches during several presidential administrations. For the Courthouse News Service, Ryan Abbott wrote, “U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema [...]

Former federal prosecutor loses case over reporter’s sources

A federal judge ruled against a former federal prosecutor claiming a confidential source from the Department of Justice violated his privacy rights by talking with a reporter. In his decision the judge said that the former prosecutor could not prevail in his case against the Department of Justice (DOJ) because he needed to show that [...]

Should The U.S. Kidnap WikiLeak’s Founder?

Commentary on Wikileaks situation by TIME magazine reporter, Michael Scherer TIME Magazine/ Commentary August 3, 2010 By Michael Scherer I guess those who care about international press freedom can take comfort in the fact that Marc Thiessen no longer works for the government. On the Washington Post website, the former Bush Administration speechwriter and harsh [...]

Conn. attorney general can’t make confidential records public

The Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled that state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal cannot make public the confidential business documents he obtains through a subpoena, handing a victory to a Florida insurance company that sued to prevent disclosure of the information. News August 3, 2010 By The Associated Press HARTFORD, Conn. — In a decision released [...]

First Amendment Guru Floyd Abrams on the WikiLeaks Situation [VIDEO]

July 28, 2010 By Wall Street Journal     On Monday morning, we did some looking into the legal issues surrounding WikiLeaks’ decision to unveil some 92,000 previously classified documents on the public, in connection with a handful of media outlets. The bottom line, some First Amendment experts informed us: the government certainly had the [...]

Government agency using subpoenas to obtain whistle blowers’ e-mails with reporters

The Security and Exchange Commission has subpoenaed documents from two whistle blowers including e-mails with reporters, a move that circumvents their usual policy of not subpoenaing reporters directly. -db The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press June 28, 2010 By Ellen Biltz At least one government agency is using subpoenas to target e-mail between [...]

Attorney General subpoenas New York Times reporter over book on C.I.A.

A lawyer for New York Times reporter James Risen says he will honor his commitment to keep his sources confidential in resisting a subpoena to provide documents about his 2006 book about the Central Intelligency Agency.  -db The New York Times April 28 2010 By Charlie Savage WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Obama administration is seeking [...]

TSA backs off of subpoena to blogger publishing new airport security directive

After a blogger refused to surrender records of his posting of the new government airport security directive, the Transportation Security Administration changed course and withdrew the subpoena for the records. The blogger had objected to the lack of time to comply and that as a journalist he would be required to reveal his sources. -DB [...]

Newspaper claims constitutional protection in withholding jailhouse interview notes from county attorney

A Kansas county prosecutor has issued a subpoena to the Dodge City Daily Globe and reporter Claire O’Brien to obtain her notes, testimony and the identity of an anonymous source concerning a Labor Day shooting that left one man dead. The prosecutor says he is trying to obtain the information from other sources so O’Brien and [...]

Obama administration wants national security exemption in federal shield law

The Obama administration wants the federal shield law now in Congress to force reporters to disclose confidential sources who leak national security information. -DB The New York Times October 1, 2009 By Charlie Savage WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Obama administration has told lawmakers that it opposes legislation that could protect reporters from being imprisoned if they [...]