Reply #41: Important distinction [View All]

[lastliberalintexas]

You have commented on the journalists' ability to withhold source information as though it were something written in the law. It is not. There is no such thing as a journalist privilege, as in doctor-patient, atty-client, or spousal privileges. For example, the gov't (ie, courts) may not compel me to testify concerning information I obtained from a client, because it is protected BY LAW.

However, a court can (and often does) compel a journalist to divulge his or her source. If s/he refuses to comply with that court order, s/he may be jailed for contempt. That is the typical punishmnet for failure to comply with a court order, whether journalist or not.

While I find it very brave that most journalists will refuse to divulge their sources, there is no legal protection for such a stand.