She went to jail, but for what? [View All]

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http://www.sptimes.com/2005/10/01/Columns/She_went_to_jail__but.shtml

It was the mystery many of us who care about journalism had waited 85 days to see answered.

Judith Miller, the New York Times reporter jailed for refusing to tell a federal prosecutor what she knew about efforts to reveal the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame, faced reporters Friday after brokering a deal to win her freedom and testify before a grand jury.

News outlets were already reporting she had secured permission personally from her confidential source, vice presidential chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, to speak about their conversations on the issue.

But viewers watching Miller's Friday news conference were only left with more questions, following her refusal to explain why she sat in jail for nearly three months before obtaining a release Libby had granted to another reporter over a year ago. (Miller actually referred the question to her lawyer, who did not comment.) snip

So was Miller simply playing the journalistic martyr, when she could have resolved this earlier and ethically?