Thursday, July 07, 2005
A Note About the Miller/Cooper Case
The Illinois News Broadcasters Association, like many journalism organizations across America, is dismayed that New York Times reporter Judith Miller has been ordered to jail for her refusal to reveal her confidential source in the Valerie Plame case. Time reporter Matthew Cooper avoided jail by agreeing to testify, after, he says, his source contacted him and released Cooper from his promise of confidentiality.
For simply doing her job - and keeping her word - Judy Miller was sent to the same federal lockup as convicted terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui. (1)
Illinois, 48 other states, and the District of Columbia all have shield laws to – at least some degree – protect journalists who protect their confidential sources in state trials. However, we still have no federal shield law. The Miller/Cooper saga underscores the need for a shield law on the federal level.
There is now shield legislation pending in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. However, neither of Illinois’ senators – and only two of our representatives (Emanuel, LaHood) – have signed on as co-sponsors of these federal shield bills. (2)
In fact, regarding federal shield legislation, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) says “I would consider it, as long as they make it clear that in a situation like this (Miller/Cooper) where sources in the White House disclosed the identity of this CIA agent…thereby violating the law and committing a felony…in that situation, I don’t believe that people who commit a felony should get off the hook … At this point, I’m troubled by it. I can understand confidentiality, how important it is to having good journalism – but, on the other side of it, if we’re going to allow people to conceal crimes this way…I’m troubled by it.” (3)
INBA is joining other journalism organizations in asking you to please contact your elected representatives, and ask them to support federal shield legislation. As journalists, we’re often uncomfortable asking the people we cover to support a certain piece of legislation. However, I hope you’ll agree that this issue is important enough that we all need to act.
The Radio-Television News Directors Association – the national leader in the fight for press freedoms – has prepared background information and talking points to aid you in speaking more comfortably on the issue of federal shield legislation.
Please go to this link. It will answer most – if not all – questions you may have on the subject of federal shield legislation and other press freedoms.
Friends, this is a critical time for journalism in America – including right here in Illinois. Judy Miller is in jail with a convicted terrorist. Matt Cooper – going against every principle he has as journalist – has agreed to talk. You could be next. The door has been opened. It will be difficult to slam it shut again…but we must do everything we can to try.
Again, please visit that RTNDA site then contact your elected officials. Ask them to cosponsor – and push for passage of – federal shield legislation.
Thank you for your time and for your support of fair and open journalism.
Steve Scott, President
Illinois News Broadcasters Association
(1) Source: Associated Press – July 6, 2005
(2) Source: Radio-Television News Directors Association
(3) Source: WLS-AM – July 6, 2005
For simply doing her job - and keeping her word - Judy Miller was sent to the same federal lockup as convicted terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui. (1)
Illinois, 48 other states, and the District of Columbia all have shield laws to – at least some degree – protect journalists who protect their confidential sources in state trials. However, we still have no federal shield law. The Miller/Cooper saga underscores the need for a shield law on the federal level.
There is now shield legislation pending in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. However, neither of Illinois’ senators – and only two of our representatives (Emanuel, LaHood) – have signed on as co-sponsors of these federal shield bills. (2)
In fact, regarding federal shield legislation, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) says “I would consider it, as long as they make it clear that in a situation like this (Miller/Cooper) where sources in the White House disclosed the identity of this CIA agent…thereby violating the law and committing a felony…in that situation, I don’t believe that people who commit a felony should get off the hook … At this point, I’m troubled by it. I can understand confidentiality, how important it is to having good journalism – but, on the other side of it, if we’re going to allow people to conceal crimes this way…I’m troubled by it.” (3)
INBA is joining other journalism organizations in asking you to please contact your elected representatives, and ask them to support federal shield legislation. As journalists, we’re often uncomfortable asking the people we cover to support a certain piece of legislation. However, I hope you’ll agree that this issue is important enough that we all need to act.
The Radio-Television News Directors Association – the national leader in the fight for press freedoms – has prepared background information and talking points to aid you in speaking more comfortably on the issue of federal shield legislation.
Please go to this link. It will answer most – if not all – questions you may have on the subject of federal shield legislation and other press freedoms.
Friends, this is a critical time for journalism in America – including right here in Illinois. Judy Miller is in jail with a convicted terrorist. Matt Cooper – going against every principle he has as journalist – has agreed to talk. You could be next. The door has been opened. It will be difficult to slam it shut again…but we must do everything we can to try.
Again, please visit that RTNDA site then contact your elected officials. Ask them to cosponsor – and push for passage of – federal shield legislation.
Thank you for your time and for your support of fair and open journalism.
Steve Scott, President
Illinois News Broadcasters Association
(1) Source: Associated Press – July 6, 2005
(2) Source: Radio-Television News Directors Association
(3) Source: WLS-AM – July 6, 2005
