I. Introduction: History & Background

Iowa has a unified trial court system whereby original jurisdiction for claims in excess of $5,000 rests in the district court. Claims for damages under $5,000 must be brought in small claims court. Appeals from final decisions of the district court may be made as a matter of right to the Iowa Supreme Court. The Iowa Supreme Court may refer the case to the Iowa Court of Appeals for appellate review or retain jurisdiction over the appeal. If a case is referred to the Iowa Court of Appeals, the Iowa Supreme Court may choose to review it on application for further review. Appellate review in civil cases generally is on an error of law standard for cases at law and a de novo review for cases in equity.

In Iowa, the judicially created reporter's privilege "protects confidential sources, unpublished information and reporter's notes." Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier v. Hawkeye Community College, 646 N.W.2d 97, 102 (Iowa 2002). The Iowa reporter's privilege is grounded on state and federal constitutional law only; there is not a shield statute or other legislative protection for journalists. The reporter's privilege has been the subject of five Iowa Supreme Court decisions, over the past 25 years, all of them favorable to the press. Because Iowa cases employ a Farber two-step procedure for in camera inspections, Iowa journalists typically do not face an immediate criminal contempt citation.