Judith Miller calls for federal shield law

[tuvor]

(Because she was defending a source whose name she couldn't recall.)

LAS VEGAS - New York Times reporter Judith Miller defended her decision to go to jail to protect a source and told a journalism conference Tuesday that reporters need a federal shield law so that others won't face the same sanctions.

Miller was jailed 85 days for refusing to testify about her conversations with Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff regarding undercover CIA agent Valerie Plame.

"Ultimately we protect sources so people will come forth - so people will know," she told the national conference of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Miller received a standing ovation from more than half the crowd of about 350 journalists when she was presented with the group's First Amendment Award.

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/nation/12936067.htm

[Hissyspit]

1. Who cares what she calls for? nt

[joemurphy]

2. Jeez...She's the Poster Girl for NOT having a Shield Law. n/t

[Somawas]

3. Ah yes! Judith Miller: the Mandela of Journalism

[wtmusic]

4. Her moment in the sun...let her have her say

z-z-z-z-z-z

[CoffeeCat]

5. Ok....wait...has the world gone completely nuts???

Judy was not protecting a reporters' right to keep sources confidential.

She was protecting criminals in the White House.

She did not write a story on Plame! She was given the name of a covert CIA operative by White House official(s)--as they attempted to endanger the undercover CIA employee for political revenge.

That's a fricking crime.

She was privy to a crime. She had a duty and an obligation to report that crime!

This woman is no hero, you fools!!! All right all ready with the fricking standing ovation!!!

Sit down!

Am I the only one who feels like you're surrounded by stupid people who are swimming in oblivion? This is so obvious to me...why can't these seasoned journalists figure this out?

So. Frustrating.

Wake up world!!!!

[sandrakae]

6. She didn't have to go to jail.

She is saying now she can't recall. Why did she go to jail then. Why the heck didn't she just say 85 days ago that she couldn't recall. She can't be protecting a source, protect who from what. She can't recall anything. She is just another liar on GWB's payroll.

[Vinnie From Indy]

7. The crowd consisted partly of right wing whackos

Pulliam, for one, is right winger from waaay back!

[SaintLouisBlues]

8. Meanwhile, The Fox calls for keys to the Hen House

n/t

[progressivebydesign]

9. She's such a dumbshit. Do I have to spell this out for her again?

Judy, babe, Barbara Feldon look-alike: The point is not protecting your source ABOUT a crime. The point is that leaking that info to you WAS THE CRIME. Get it? Someone talking about a crime, is different than someone comitting the crime.

[TahitiNut]

10. Heaven forbid we actually pass laws to protect whistleblowers.

The press would rather exploit the ruination of whistleblowers than actually advocate effective protections for them.