Judge orders Judith Miller jailed
A federal judge on Oct. 7 held New York Times reporter Judith Miller
in contempt for refusing to divulge confidential sources to prosecutors
investigating the leak of an undercover CIA officer’s identity.
US District Judge Thomas F. Hogan ordered Miller jailed until she agrees
to testify about her sources before a grand jury, but said she could
remain free while pursuing an appeal. Miller could be jailed up to 18
months.
Judge Hogan cited Supreme Court rulings that reporters do not have absolute
First Amendment protection from testifying about confidential sources.
Miller’s lawyer, Floyd Abrams, said he would file notice of an
appeal of Hogan’s ruling with the US Court of Appeals for the District
of Columbia Circuit.
US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald of Chicago, the special prosecutor in
the CIA-leak case also has issued subpoenas to reporters from NBC, Time
magazine, and The Washington Post. Some have agreed to provide limited
testimony after their sources — such as Lewis “Scooter”
Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney’s chief of staff — released
them from their promises of confidentiality.
But, according to AP, Miller and Times Executive Editor Bill Keller
said they would not agree to provide testimony even under those circumstances.
(Editor & Publisher)
Free Radio Santa Cruz shut down during raid
Armed federal marshals and Federal Communications Commission agents raided
the studio of Free Radio Santa Cruz early on morning of Sept. 29.
About a dozen federal agents closed down the station, confiscating all
the broadcast equipment.
Free Radio Santa Cruz operated as an unlicensed radio station for the
past 10 years.
“We’ve been on the air 10 years. We’ve been running an
unlicensed station. It’s always a chance. Every day you have to be
prepared that this could happen,” said a station spokesman called
George.
In the past, some city leaders have thrown their support behind the unlicensed
radio station. Even Mayor Scott Kennedy condemned the raid.
Station members vow to reconnect with their hometown audience as quickly
as they can.
“We’re going to go back on the air. Probably, some other location
at this time. But eventually, we’re going to pop back on,” said
programmer Skidmark Bob.
No one was arrested during the raid.
The radio comes just two weeks after a similar station in Knoxville, TN
was raided by federal law enforcement. (MSNBC)
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