I. Introduction: History & Background

As a matter of state law, the reporter's privilege in Louisiana is quite strong. The reporter's shield statute applies to unpublished information as well as to confidential sources. La. R.S. 45:1451 et seq. In addition, the State Supreme Court has held that a reporter's privilege applies to unpublished information as a matter of state and federal constitutional law. See In re Grand Jury Proceedings (Ronald Ridenhour), 520 So. 2d 372 (La. 1988). To our knowledge, reporters have not been jailed or fined for invoking the reporter's privilege in Louisiana.