Reporter's Privilege

This section covers the use of subpoenas to force journalists to disclose their confidential news sources and unpublished information. Shield laws exist in forty states; if a reporter isn't covered by a shield law, there may still be a constitutional privilege that helps protect sources and information. This section also covers official attempts to seize journalists' work product and documents without a warrant.

If a court rejects my First Amendment-based privilege, is there another constitutional right on which I may rely?

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FAQ

In very limited instances that have occurred only rarely, a journalist may be able to rely on his or her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in refusing to testify about confidential sources or other information. The facts of the case, however, have to be such that somehow, for whatever reason, the reporter fears a real danger of incrimination if he or she testifies and provides the requested information.

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Reporter's Privilege

If a court rejects my First Amendment-based privilege, is there another constitutional right on which I may rely?

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