NEWSMEN'S PRIVILEGE LEGISLATION - LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS, 93RD CONGRESS

• NCJ Number: 31552
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 84 pages
• Corporate Author: American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
• Sale Source: American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ANALYSIS OF THE NEED FOR LEGISLATION PROTECTING THE PRESS AGAINST COMPULSORY DISCLOSURES (IN GRAND JURY OR COURT TESTIMONY) OF CONFIDENTIAL SOURCES OR OTHER PRIVILEGED INFORMATION.

Abstract

TOPICS CONSIDERED INCLUDE THE BACKGROUND AND HISTORY OF PROBLEMS RELATED TO REQUIRING MEMBERS OF THE PRESS TO TESTIFY, MAJOR ALTERNATIVES IN DEFINING THE SCOPE OF THE NEWMAN'S PRIVILEGE TO REFUSE TO DISCLOSE CONFIDENTIAL EVIDENTIARY MATERIAL, AND THE ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST A FEDERAL SHIELD STATUTE WHICH WOULD PROTECT THE PRESS FROM BEING SUBPOENAED TO REVEAL INFORMATION. SEVERAL PROPOSED OR PENDING BILLS DEALING WITH NEWSMAN'S PRIVILEGE ARE ALSO BRIEFLY DESCRIBED. IN ADDITION, THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF EXTENDING PROPOSED STATUTES TO BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL PROCEEDINGS ARE CITED, ALONG WITH RECOMMENDED EXCEPTIONS TO THE NEWSMAN'S PRIVILEGE.