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A federal judge in 2011 declined to compel Mr. Risen to reveal his source, saying he was protected by a limited “reporter’s privilege” under the First Amendment. But on Friday, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the Justice Department in a 2-1 decision that “there is no First Amendment testimonial privilege, absolute or qualified, that protects a reporter from being compelled to testify in criminal proceedings.”
Judge Roger Gregory dissented, warning that “The majority exalts the interests of the government while unduly trampling those of the press, and in doing so, severely impinges on the press and the free flow of information in our society.” The Obama administration should take his words to heart.
By demanding that Mr. Risen break his pledge of confidentiality, the Obama Justice Department pushed the court into setting a chilling and destructive precedent that will go beyond this single case. The Sterling prosecution is one of seven leak-related cases brought under the 1917 Espionage Act by the Obama administration, compared to only three under all other previous presidents.
Mr. Risen plans to appeal to the Supreme Court and vows to go to prison if he ultimately loses. That wouldn’t be necessary if the administration made good on its promise to respect press freedom and reporter confidentiality.
reply to post by Agit8dChop
But your all to busy bashing the black man who is in front of the camera. which is pointless as he is as important to the US state of affairs as the pimple on my but is to my education level.
But your all to busy bashing the black man who is in front of the camera. which is pointless as he is as important to the US state of affairs as the pimple on my but is to my education level.