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February 2007 - Posts

Wednesday, February 28, 2007 2:29 PM

SPJ and other groups oppose Kyl amendment

You will probably read about this on the FOI FYI blog as well, SPJ is one of 20 groups asking the Senate to reject an amendment that criminalizes that disclosure of classified information. Here is the letter to Sens. Leahy and Specter of the Judiciary
posted by DaveAeikens | 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 11:54 AM

Magazines settle with Hatfill

Two magaizines have settled libel cases with Dr. Steven Hatfill, the man who was once a person of interest in the anthrax poisonings five years ago. Earlier, the a case against the New York Times was thrown out. SPJ was backing the Times in the case.
posted by DaveAeikens | 1 Comments
Sunday, February 25, 2007 5:03 PM

Minnesota paper will appeal Shield law ruling

The Mankato Free Press is taking the adverse ruling saying that the prosecution can subpoena its notes the next step. Editor and Publisher has the AP story. This, so far, is a bad ruling for Minnesota journalists.
posted by DaveAeikens | 0 Comments
Thursday, February 22, 2007 3:19 PM

Josh Wolf featured on Frontline

Josh Wolf, the journalist who holds the record for the longest time spent in jail, was itnerview for the Frontline series "News Wars" The interview was done before Wolf entered the northern California prison. There was no mention of this on Frontline,
posted by DaveAeikens | 0 Comments
Monday, February 19, 2007 2:48 PM

Washington State House Passes Shield Law

OLYMPIA The House has unanimously passed a bill that would protect journalists from facing prison for not revealing confidential sources.The measure passed Friday on a 96-0 vote, with two lawmakers excused, and now heads to the Senate, which is considering
posted by MikeKnaak | 0 Comments
Monday, February 19, 2007 1:02 PM

The Santa Barbara saga

John Yewell has the latest on the battles of the Santa Barbara newspaper and its owner. Society of Professional Journalists President Christine Tatum has her own take on the goings on in Santa Barbara.  
posted by DaveAeikens | 1 Comments
Friday, February 16, 2007 1:02 PM

President, LDF chair on radio this morning

Society of Professional Journalists President Christine Tatum and LDF chairman Dave Aeikens will appear on Bearcast radio from the University of Cincinnati this morning to talk about Josh Wolf and the effort to pass a federal Shield law. You can
posted by DaveAeikens | 0 Comments
Thursday, February 15, 2007 12:57 AM

Chronicle Reporters to Avoid Jail

In a plea agreement that will keep two San Francisco Chronicle reporters out of jail, a criminal defense lawyer has admitted to leaking secret grand jury testimony. According to court papers filed Wednesday, attorney Troy Ellerman admitted
posted by NeilRalston | 1 Comments
Wednesday, February 14, 2007 3:02 PM

Judge rules against Minnesota paper in shield case

The Mankato Free Press can be subpoened for notes about a story about a man who shot two officers in a December standoff before killing himself. Here is the AP story: MANKATO, Minn. (AP) - Authorities may issue subpoenas to three journalists
posted by DaveAeikens | 2 Comments
Wednesday, February 14, 2007 2:44 PM

Texas pursues shield law

Here is the story. It would be the 33rd state to get one. The Frontline series on PBS called "News Wars" features Josh Wolf and  Judith Miller, one journalist who did time and another who is serving jail time protecting sources. Last night's
posted by DaveAeikens | 2 Comments
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:59 PM

Frontline series on journalism airs tonight

Former 60 Minutes Producer Lowell Bergman has put together a four-part series on journalism since the Nixon Administration that begins tonight on PBS's "Frontline". USA Today has a story about it. It's called "News War."
posted by DaveAeikens | 1 Comments
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:28 AM

Shield law press conference delayed

Reps. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) and Mike Pence (R-Ind.) are working to reintroduce federal shield law legislation in mid-February.  Boucher and Pence planned a Feb. 15 press conference with San Francisco Chronicle reporters Mark
posted by DaveAeikens | 13 Comments
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:25 AM

Stay tuned for SPJ news on Krayeske

SPJ plans to issue a statement today regarding the situation of Ken Krayeske. Check back later for that statement. Krayeske is the Hartford freelance journalist who was jailed for taking pictures of the Connecticut's governor's parade. He is due back
posted by DaveAeikens | 2 Comments
Friday, February 09, 2007 11:36 AM

More journalists headed for court in Libby trial

The Valerie Plame leak has been a nightmare for journalists who want to protect their sources and started a call in 2005 to pass a federal shield law. Now the criminal trial out of that situation will have a parade of journalists marching to court to
posted by DaveAeikens | 0 Comments
Friday, February 09, 2007 11:34 AM

Protecting reporters' privilege

Protecting reporters' privilege? Evaluating the effectiveness of the Free Flow of Information Act of 2006 By Alicia ArmbrusterFirst Amendment Center intern 02.07.07 Summary: Since 2003, news reporters have faced an increasing threat of being subpoenaed
posted by MikeKnaak | 1 Comments
Wednesday, February 07, 2007 3:25 PM

LDF to support access issue in Phoenix

The LDF committee voted to provide amicus support for Griffis vs Pinal County. It involves the suspension of Stanley Griffis from his job as county manager after he used public dollars to buy $21,000 worth of sniper rifles, ammunition and other
posted by DaveAeikens | 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 06, 2007 7:00 PM

Kansas Lawmaker Pushes for Prior Review Committees

As supporters of student press rights try to take a step forward in Washington state, a Kansas legislator looks to move the Jayhawk state a step backward.A Kansas lawmaker has offered up a proposal that would allow committees to consider the content of
posted by NeilRalston | 1 Comments
Tuesday, February 06, 2007 1:58 PM

Wolf story featured in NY Times

Josh Wolf is the journalist who has stayed behind bars the longest. The New York Times reports on his situation. Wolf a San Francisco video journalist and blogger. SPJ gave him a $30,000 grant in August to help with this legal fees. A press conference is
posted by DaveAeikens | 0 Comments
Monday, February 05, 2007 11:22 AM

Josh Wolf press conference Tuesday.

Northern California SPJ member Pueng Vongs will be among the speakers. Here are the details.
posted by DaveAeikens | 1 Comments
Friday, February 02, 2007 1:08 PM

Judge explains ruling in tossing NY Times case

The judge who throw out the libel case Steven Hatfill filed against the New York Times explains his decision in an opinion. The Washington Post writes about the case. SPJ is supported the Times through an amicus brief.    
posted by DaveAeikens | 0 Comments
Thursday, February 01, 2007 8:23 PM

Seattle Times Editorial Opposes Press Rights for Students

    The Student Press Law Center has issued this reply to a stunningly naive Seattle Times editorial that opposes the expansion of press freedoms for high school students.
posted by NeilRalston | 0 Comments
Thursday, February 01, 2007 6:47 PM

SPJ joins motion to open audio files in Libby case

SPJ has joined with the Associated Press in a challenge to a potential defense motion to block the copying of audio files of Scooter Libby's grand jury testimony after the files are played in open court and introduced as exhibits. The LDF
posted by DaveAeikens | 0 Comments