US journalists lose freedom of press appeal

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Gary Younge in New York
Thursday February 17, 2005
The Guardian

Two journalists facing jail for refusing to reveal their sources had their appeal quashed yesterday. A panel of three judges panel ruled unanimously that they had no constitutional right to withhold the identity of their contacts from a criminal investigation.

The case has wide-reaching ramifications for freedom of the press in the United States. Judith Miller of the New York Times and Matthew Cooper of Time Magazine have been held in contempt of court for refusing to answer questions before a grand jury.

The two journalists claimed that the leaks from government sources of a covert CIA officer's identity were protected by First Amendment privilege, which exempts reporters from revealing their sources to a criminal inquiry.

But in October Chief Judge Thomas Hogan found them in contempt and ordered their detention for 18 months or until the grand jury's term expires, whichever was shorter.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1416188,00.html